SONNETS ON THE SABBATH.

DELTA.

MORN.

AFTER a week of restless care and toil,
How sweet unspeakably it is to wake,
And see in crimson through the lattice break
The Sabbath sun's serene and holy smile!
In hallow'd quiet human stir is hush'd;
'Twould almost seem that the external world
Felt God's command, and that the sea-waves curl'd
More blandly, making music as they rush'd.
In the still silence, from the summer fields,
Hark to the small birds singing, singing on,
As 'twere an endless anthem to the Throne
Of Nature, for the bounteous stores she yields;
Yea! for the Power that shelters and that shields,
Deep adoration mute Earth seems to own.

EVE.

The twilight shades are darkening o'er the dell ;
In the red west the sun hath shut his eye;
And stars are gathering in the upper sky,
As, with a pensive sound, the curfew bell
Tolls through the solemn air, as 'twere farewell
To Heaven's appointed day of sanctity.

Scotland! I glory that throughout thy bounds (And oh ! whilst holy canst thou be unblest?) Each Sabbath is a jubilee of rest,

And prayer and praise almost the only sounds. Richer and prouder other lands may be;

But while the world endures, be this thy boast (A worthy one)-that sunshine gilds no coast Where God is served more purely than in thee!

STANZAS.

ROBERT KAYE GREVILLE.

TRANSIENT as the hues of morning,
Earthly forms like shadows pass;
Forms the fairest, life adorning,
Fade and wither like the grass.
Oh! may we, our fetters breaking,
Cling no more to things below,
But to heavenly visions waking,
More abiding glory know!

Shall we fondly hope to borrow

Smiles to chase the mourner's tear? Shall we, in the heart's deep sorrow, Try to find a refuge here?

No! the peace for ever flowing

Seek we from the fount Divine: Lord! do Thou that peace bestowing, Prove that we are wholly Thine!

Oh! how swift the moments flying
Bear us on their wings away!
Jesus! in the hour of dying,

Be Thy trembling servants' stay.

When they call, O Saviour, hear them!

Answer them in tender love!

In the darkest shade be near them,

Guide them to their home above!

"THERE IS A FRIEND WHICH STICKETH CLOSER THAN A BROTHER."

BERNARD BARTON.

THOUGH Sunless, moonless, starless seem
Each sufferer's lonely state,

There is a light whose cheering beam
Its gloom can dissipate :

It comes with healing on its wings,
And heavenly radiance round it flings!

It rises on the darken'd mind

With lustre brighter far
Than that to outward orb assign'd,

Of sun, or moon, or star;

And matchless in its mild control

Over the desolate in soul.

There is a Friend, more tender, true,

Than brother e'er can be;

Who, when all others bid adieu,

Remains, the last to flee;

Who, be their pathway bright or dim,
Deserts not those who turn to Him.