VIII.

CHRIST'S VISIT TO THE TEMPLE, WHEN A CHILD.

LUKE II. 40 - 52.

They found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. Verses 46, 51.

SOFT is the rounded cheek of youth,

Bright is its lip of ruddy dye,

And innocence and open truth

Beam beauteous from the speaking eye.
That eye, how quick its flash of mirth!
Or if the boy hath paused to hear
Some tale of woe, of injured worth,
How ready bursts the generous tear!

Oh to the altar of the Lord

That bright and willing votary lead;
And let him from the holy word
This record of his Saviour read;
How when a boy, he loved the place
Made sacred to the name of God,
And, rich in heaven's peculiar grace,
Yet meek in filial duty trod.

BAPTISM OF JESUS.

Young Christian! like thy Saviour hear!
Young Christian! like thy Saviour pray!
Still own thy heavenly Father near;

Thine earthly parents' rule obey.
Be thy first fruits of duty laid

Before thy God, in faith and love;
And He thy course on earth will aid,
And lead thee to His home above.

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IX.

BAPTISM OF JESUS.

MATTHEW III.

And lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. - Verse 16.

Or old by Carmel's altar stone

The prophet of the Lord,

Amid the silent tribes alone,

His supplication poured.*

Then from the heavens without a cloud

Was sent the answering flame;

The awe-struck tribes repentant bowed,
And owned Jehovah's name.

* 1 Kings, xviii.

Long ages passed. The Baptist stood
By Jordan's silver stream,
When o'er the consecrating flood
Appeared a radiant gleam.

Dove-like the glory slow descends
On Jesus' head to rest;

The conscious prophet lowly bends;
Messiah stands confessed.

Thou who didst bid the altar flame
From Carmel's height aspire;

From whom to Jesus' brow there came
The emblematic fire!

On our heart-altars, cold and dark,
Thy kindling radiance send;
And with thy dove-like spirit mark
Thy children to the end.

THE TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS.

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X.

THE TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS.

MATTHEW IV. 1– H.

It is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. - Verse 10.

WHEN a thousand voices raise
To thy name the shout of praise,
And before thy dazzled sight
Glory beams enthroned in light,
While on thee she calls aloud,
Pointing to the admiring crowd,
Pause, nor kneel before her throne;
Give thy heart to God alone!

Sweeter strains of soft desire

Swell from Pleasure's golden lyre.
Bright as beams of opening day
Hope and Transport round her play;
Smiles and gayety are there,

Banished far are Thought and Care.
Heed not thou the entrancing tone,
Give thy heart to God alone!

Mammon bids thee view the store

Heaped for him from every shore.
Worship him, and wealth untold,
Through thy swelling coffers rolled,
Shall reward thy bended knee. —
Spurn the base idolatry!
Heavenly treasures are thine own;
Give thy heart to God alone!

Onward, in thy Saviour's path,
Brave the baffled Tempter's wrath.
Soon deceitful Pleasure's lay
From thine ear shall pass away;
Soon Ambition's thrilling voice
Cease to urge thy trembling choice.
Life's short day of duty done,
Thou shalt joy in God alone.