Husband and sister sued in vain,

In vain, though burning tears replied; To love she gave those drops of pain, Triumphant over all beside.

Her aged father came and knelt,

Bowed his white locks before his child;

And the sad daughter deeply felt,

Yet through her tears looked up and smiled. They brought her infant; as he lay

Before her, in his slumber fair,
Almost the mother's heart gave way,
But God had heard his martyr's prayer.

Her strength arose. 'My child shall be
Safe in thy sheltering care, my God!
I give him, this sad hour, to thee;
And when this dreadful path is trod,
May I not hope, in robes of light

To hover o'er his slumbering head,
And o'er my father's locks of white
A spirit-daughter's blessing shed?"

She died; that spirit, calm and high,

Sustained her through the dreadful hour. She died as those alone can die

Whom faith in God has girt with

To her own fearless heart, her hand

Guided the gladiator's sword.

power.

Yet, through their grief, the Christian band That night the hymn of triumph poured.

COURAGE IN THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.

The pure, the faithful, was at rest;

For her a glorious crown was won, And now in mansions of the blest,

On that fair brow forever shone. And courage rose to meet their death,

In those the Christians' path who trod ; And, won by her undaunted faith,

A thousand heathen turned to God.

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XLI.

TRUST IN DIVINE PROTECTION.

LUKE XII. 13-34.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. - Verse 32.

FEAR not, my chosen flock,
Though through the wilds ye go.
Forth from the everlasting Rock

The living waters flow.

Afar that awful height

Its cooling shadow throws,
And the green pastures there invite
To banquet and repose.

Christian though all around
Doubts rise, and cares annoy.
Fear not; beyond this narrow bound
Lie realms of peace and joy.

Should danger threaten life,
It cannot kill the soul;

Then, Christian, steadfast meet the strife;
Thy God can make thee whole.

TRUST IN DIVINE PROTECTION.

77

Fear not, though sin assail.

Thou hast a friend within;

In faith's impenetrable mail

Thou

yet shalt conquer sin.

Fear not, though life depart;

But lift thy closing eye.

The Saviour whispers to thy heart,

"Mine is the victory."

XLII.

DUTY OF WATCHFULNESS.

LUKE XII. 35-59.

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. - Verse 37.

REDEEMER! by thy care and love,
A charge is given us from above.
In constant duty must we wait
As servants at their master's gate;
Remembering all thy holy law,
With zealous love, and fear, and awe,
And ready, when our Lord shall come,
Joyful to bid him welcome home.

Blest are the servants whom their lord
Thus finds obedient to his word.
Fearless may they his presence meet,
And as their friend, their master greet.
His eye their ready love shall see,
And mark their tried fidelity;

And kindness from his lips shall flow,

And large rewards his hands bestow.