238

VISION OF THE HEBREW.

VISION OF THE HEBREW.

Habakkuk iii. 3—10.

THE Eternal God from Teman came,

The Holy one from Paran, clothed in might. His glory shone with everlasting flame— His brightness, beaming with effulgent light, Dispersed afar the shades of night.

Before him went the pestilential train, And burning coals were scattered in his path; He stood and measured earth's domainHe touched the hills-the hills were rent in He saw, and drove his enemies in wrath. [twain; The mountains fled, the hills, perpetual, bowed, And quivering nature sought oblivion's shroud!

I saw the tents of Cushan mourn

Proud Midian trembled, of her glory shorn;

The nations melted when Thou didst appear! The waters past, majestically, by ;—

The deep was heard,—his hands were lifted high. Thine arrows gleamed, and with thy shining

spear,

[nigh.

Thou walk'dst, O God! to bring thy vengeance

IN JUDAH, NOW, THE MINSTREL'S LYRE. 239

IN JUDAH, NOW, THE MINSTREL'S LYRE.

In Judah, now, the minstrel's lyre

Is hushed, for mirth has winged its flight; In Zion's courts, the holy fire

Is quenched, and sorrow veils the night.

No sound disturbs thee, Solyma!
Save some disciple's lowly moan-
No lamp illumes yon vaulted way,
Save one pale orb that burns alone.

"Tis Bethlehem's Star! the holy gem
That hailed the Godhead from the skies;

"Tis Bethlehem's Star-the diadem

That tells the Conqueror shall rise.

He rises! and the golden choir

Of angel minstrels, wakes the song;
He rises-mortals! catch the fire,
And strains of ecstasy prolong.

My pretty one! thou hast about my heart
Twined thyself, closely, with thy little ways.
And much that heart doth love thee, whose brief
days

But fourteen months comprise. My daughter! part

Of every thought-my care, my joy, thou art.
As, oft times, I upon thy future look,

Desiring to spell out thy destiny

Written by Heaven in its sealed book,—

What hopes, what dreams, what wishes come to me!

What smiles! what tears!-THE SHEPHERD, that once took

Unto his bosom, nurslings, like to thee,

And kindly blessed them-in life's pathway, wild,

Lead thee by quiet waters; and with crook
And friendly staff, comfort and keep my Child!

January 9th, 1836.

THE FLOWER.

241

THE FLOWER.

A Hindu, after spending some years in seclusion, and in endeavouring to obtain the mastery over his passions, came to a mission station, where he thus accosted the missionary: "I have a flower, a precious flower, to present as an offering; but as yet I have found no one worthy to receive it." Hearing of the love of Christ, he said, "I will offer my flower to Christ, for he is worthy to receive it." This flower was his heart. Jesus accepted it, and after a short time transplanted it to bloom in the borders of Eden.

THE Hindu said, "I have a flower
Of the morning's earliest bloom;

A flower for grateful offering,
I'll give it but to whom?

I have looked on Beauty's glorious smile,
And thought to nestle it there;

But while I gazed, her loveliness
Faded into thin air.

I have looked on Greatness, but with him

My flower could ne'er abide;

242

THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER.

Within his cold and stately halls
The blossom would have died.

I stole a glance at Pleasure's seat,
And searched within its bower;
But in its poisonous air dwells not
The gentle virgin flower.

Fearing the world, I give it thee,
O Christ, to bloom above;
Take thou and hide my timid flower
Within thy bosom's love!"

Not long for Earth-upon its sweets
Heaven bent approving eyes;
And soon was seen this lovely germ
Blossoming in the skies.

THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER.

COULD angel choirs demand of Earth

A theme to gratulate the throne,

Nobler than young creation's birth,

Sweeter than Heaven's wide vault hath known,—