November. TE I. All Saints' Day. HESE are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. Rev. vii. 14-17. Now they reign in heavenly glory, now they walk in golden light, Now they drink, as from a river, holy bliss and infinite; Love and peace they taste for ever; and all truth and knowledge see In the beatific vision of the blessed Trinity. TH 2. HE Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. Ps. ciii. 19. E'en so, heart-searching Lord, as years roll on, 3. BEHOLD, the Judge standeth before the door. James v. 9. And He is there: beneath our eaves 4. AND He could do there no mighty work. St. Mark vi. 5. God often would enrich, but finds not where to place His treasure, nor in hand nor heart a vacant space. 5. PASS the time of your sojourning here A in fear. I Pet. i. 17. For Thou would'st have us linger still Upon the verge of good or ill, That on Thy guiding hand unseen Our undivided hearts may lean. 6. LL flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. Isa. xl. 6. And be it so I know it well: myself, and all that's mine, Must roll on with the rolling year, and ripen to decline. I do not shun the solemn truth: to him it is not drear Whose hopes can rise above the skies, and see a Saviour near. It only makes him feel with joy, this earth is not his home; It sends him on from present ills to brighter hours to come; It bids him take with thankful heart whate'er his God may send, Content to go through weal or woe to glory in the end. Then murmur on, ye wintry winds; remind me of my doom: Ye lengthen'd nights, still image forth the darkness of the tomb. Eternal summer lights the heart where Jesus deigns to shine. I mourn no loss, I shun no cross, so Thou, O Lord, art mine! THE 7. HE invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen. Rom. i. 20. Thou, who hast given me eyes to see And love this sight so fair, Give me a heart to find out Thee, And read Thee every where. 8. YE are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. H St. Matt. v. 14. 16. And there are souls that seem to dwell Above this earth-so rich a spell Floats round their steps, where'er they move, 9. E that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. Sweet is the smile of home; the mutual look Sweet all the joys that crowd the household nook, Yet in the world even these abide, and we Once gain the mountain top, and thou art free: And if 'tis here denied thee In solitude to pray, Rom. xii. 12. Should holy thoughts come o'er thee E'en then the silent breathing Wash me, and dry these bitter tears, |