Where, where, O where! shall man retire, To escape the horrors of his ire? 'Tis he, the Lamb, to whom we fly, Thus, while we dwell in this low scene, While yet we sojourn here below, Yet courage-days and years will glide, Then pure, immortal, sinless, freed, KIRKE WHITE, Be not afraid to pray-to pray is right. Whate'er is good to wish, ask that of Heaven, But if for any wish thou darest not pray, HARTLEY COLERIDGE. 8 THE STAR IN THE EAST.-Matt. ii. 2. BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid! Star of the east, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining; Low lies His bed with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore Him, in slumber reclining, Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gold would His favour secure; Richer by far is the heart's adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid; Star of the east, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. BISHOP HEBER. 9 "THE FOXES HAVE HOLES, AND THE BIRDS OF THE AIR HAVE NESTS, BUT THE SON OF MAN HATH NOT WHERE TO LAY HIS HEAD."Matt. viii, 20. BIRDS have their quiet nest, Foxes their holes, and man his peaceful bed; All creatures have their rest, But Jesus had not where to lay his head. Winds have their hour of calm, And waves, to slumber on the voiceless deep: Eve hath its breath of balm, To hush all senses and all sounds to sleep. The wild deer hath his lair, The homeward flocks the shelter of their shed: All have their rest from care, But Jesus had not where to lay his head. And yet he came to give The weary and the heavy laden rest; And soothe our griefs to slumber on his breast. What then, am I, my God, Permitted thus the paths of peace to tread ? Peace, purchased by the blood Of Him who had not where to lay his head! I, who once made him grieve; For his meek brow the cruel crown of thorn: O! why should I have peace ? Why?-but for that unchanged, undying love, Which would not, could not cease, Until it made me heir of joys above. Yes! but for pardoning grace, I feel I never should in glory see That once was pale and agonized for me! Let the birds seek their nest, Foxes their holes, and raan his peaceful bed; Come! give me rest, and take The only rest on earth Thou lov'st-within Lies bleeding, broken, penitent for sin. J. S. MONSELL. 10 "LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID."-John xiv. 27. BLEST Saviour, when the fearful storms Of life around us press; And we in vain for comfort seek, O whisper Thou the sweet command |