grace, is so to improve as to receive more grace, and increase in all the blessed fruits which the saving influence of grace produces in the soul. TIME'S TAKINGS AND LEAVINGS. What does age take away! Bloom from the cheek, and lustre from the eye, Unclouded as the summer's bluest sky. What do years steel away? The heart's fond idol, Love, that gladdened life; Friendship, whose calm sway We trusted to in hour's of darker strife. What must with time decay? Young hopes, wild dreams, and fancy visions, And darker clouds preclude Death's coming night. But not for such we mourn ! We know them frail, and brief their date assigned; Less from time's thefts, than what he leaves behind. What do years leave behind! Unruly passions, impotent desires, Distrusts and thoughts unkind, Love of the world, and self-which best expires, For these, for these we grieve? What time as robbed us of we know must go ; But what he deigns to leave, Not only finds us poor, but keeps us so.. It ought not thus to be; Nor would it, knew we meek religion's sway; Her votary's eye could see How little time can give or take away. Faith in the heart enshrined, Would make Time's gifts enjoyed and used while lent; And all it left behind, Of love and grace a noble monument. BERNARD BARTON. |