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Have not we too ? yes we have. 
 
 Answers, and we know not whence, 
 Echoes from beyond the §rave, 
 
 Becognised intelligence ! 
 
 Such rebounds our inmost ear 
 Catches sometimes from afar, 
 
 Listen, ponder, hold them dear ; 
 For of God — of God they are. 
 
 Wordsworth. 
 
... 
 
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 zmm &*&L<& ® @ © wokk- 
 
 ^ 
 
i* Wmt Xeaf. 
 
 And now this little temple folds its door ; 
 
 So of this tiny tome the pages close ; 
 Worship of God and truth its hallowed lore, 
 
 Whilst love of Christ in golden letters glows. 
 Oh reader ! now to thee a close appeal, — 
 What does the book of thy life's-day reveal ? 
 
 Now does the course of these few pages cease, 
 How many show thy pilgrim journey there ? 
 
 Knowest thou it not ? then sue this day for peace 
 Through Jesu's blood, and he will grant thy prayer, 
 
 Say — of thy life, is sin the tablet-word ? 
 
 Fly to the cross then, and escape the sword ! 
 
 So sweetest harp-tones shall thy soul engage, 
 And more than mortal songs salute the skies, 
 
 When graven stands upon thy life's last page — 
 " Yes, come Lord Jesus ! " — shall thy spirit rise 
 
 Up to that temple where those harp-tones pure, 
 
 Love's euphony of bliss — for ever shall endure. 
 
~oo w>XU v^o- 
 
 "OH ETERNITY! ETERNITY 
 HOW SWEET IS ETERNITY 
 
 ~oCAjWV3r>- 
 
 BATH : PKTNTF.l) BY RINNS AND OOODWrN. 
 

 H E A V E N . 
 
 
 who will show me those delights 
 
 on high ? 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 I. 
 
 Thou, Echo ? 
 
 thou art mortal, all men know. 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 No. 
 
 Wert thou not born among the trees 
 
 and leaves ? 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 Leaves. 
 
 And are thert 
 
 any leaves that still abide :' 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 Bide. 
 
 What leaves are they ? impart the matter wholly. 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 Holy. 
 
 Are holy leaves the echo then of bliss ? 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 Yes. 
 
 Then tell me, 
 
 what is that supreme 
 
 delight ? 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 Light. 
 
 Light to the 
 
 nind : what shall the 
 
 will enjoy :' 
 
 Echo, 
 
 
 Joy. 
 
 But are there 
 
 cares and business w 
 
 th the pleasure ? 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 Leisure. 
 
 Light, joy, an 
 
 I leisure ; but Bhall il 
 
 icy persever. 
 
 Echo. 
 
 
 Lwr. 
 1 ' .. II. 
 
 Gjsorge Hl.UI'.l. 
 
PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 Most of these translations were made several years ago, and before the writer 
 had met with anything of the kind from other pens. 
 
 The expression of a dying Christian, which is given opposite t'ne title page, 
 was uttered by a man in very humble circumstances, named Barker, icho died 
 at Tewkesbury a few years ago. His night-watcher heard him ejaculate to 
 himself, just before he passed away, "Oh Eternity! Eternity! how sweet is 
 Eternity!" — with him the work of conversion to Christ had not been left for 
 n dying pillow. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 A few words may suffice to explain, and if need be, 
 to apologize for this little work. The translations 
 have been carefully revised ; and the writer hopes 
 that they are generally faithful renderings from their 
 originals, with this alloy, at the best — that an idea 
 is apt to lose its fairest bloom by the touch of the 
 translator. 
 
 The hymns are followed by passages from various 
 authors of different habits of thought, and of different 
 ages, which have appeared to harmonize with them ; 
 and is there not something very interesting in these 
 coincidences of the human intellect, that amidst the 
 infinite variety of things, and of the emotions of the 
 minds of men, our understandings should so often 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 come to the same point — that independent thinkers 
 often present ns with the same idea, with the same 
 utterance of that idea, and sometimes even with the 
 same words ? And yet this is not strange, — for what- 
 ever he the fluctuations of the world around us, and 
 whatever the apparent diversities of life, human nature 
 is, in its essence, one and the same; and all that there 
 is of truth in our fallen humanity, is hut the reflection 
 of His voice who is the Truth, and who changes not. 
 He speaks to us alike in nature, in revelation, and 
 in the depths of our own souls ; so that age after 
 age repeating the same eternal verities, seems like 
 the long-resounding echoes of One Voice amid the 
 eternal hills. 
 Bristol, 1859. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 MORNING ..... 1 
 
 EVENING ......<> 
 
 BEHOLD WHAT MANNER OF LOVE . . 9 
 
 THE FAREWELL . . . . .12 
 
 ON THE PSALMS OF DAVID . . . 15 
 
 HOME SICKNESS . . . . -17 
 
 WE ARE THE LORDS .... 22 
 
 THE APPEARING OF CHRIST . . .25 
 
 ON THE SETTING SUN . . . . ;{() 
 
 (LEAR SHINING THROUGH TEARS . . 34 
 
 THE FULNESS OF JE8U8 . . . :{(; 
 
 I in pilgrim's SONG . . . .11 
 
 EVENING DEVOTION .... 47 
 SABBATH MORNING 
 
Xll CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 ON THE PROPHETS . . . .59 
 ON THE ARK OF CHRIST, WHICH IS THE CHURCH 
 
 OF GOD ..... (iO 
 DISTICHON ..... 63 
 
 DE VAGIENTE ECCLESIA 64 
 
 THE CRADLE-CRY OF THE CHURCH . . 05 
 
 GRACE AT MEAT . . . . 68 
 
 THANKSGIVING AFTER MEAT . . .68 
 
 " THE SONG OF SONGS " ... 70 
 
 CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD . . 72 
 
 THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT ... 75 
 
 LORD I AM THINE . . . -78 
 
 THE WORD OF LIFE .... 81 
 
 THE SPIRIT OF THE FATHERS . . .88 
 
 PENTECOSTAL HYMN .... 94 
 
 THE STARS . . . . .97 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN'S HERITAGE . . . 100 
 
 THE BEAUTIES OF CREATION . . . KW 
 
 CONSOLATION FOR THE NIGHT . . 107 
 
CONTENTS. Xlll 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 SPRING . . . . . -109 
 
 SUMMER ..... HI 
 
 AUTUMN . . . . . .113 
 
 WINTER ..... H5 
 
 MY SOUL IS STILL IN GOD . . . 120 
 
 THE WONDERS OF THE SPRING . . 120 
 
 COMFORT IN THE LOVE OF JESUS . . -129 
 
 BEST IN GOD . . , . 133 
 
 WEEP NOT FOR ME ... . I39 
 
 LIFE AND FULL ENJOYMENT IN CHRIST . U2 
 
 MESSENGERS TO THE HEATHEN . . . I47 
 
 A PRAYER ..... 151 
 
 hymn on Christ's passion . . . 15.-} 
 
 patience ..... 15() 
 advent hymn ..... k; ; > 
 
 DAYS AM) HOURS . . . . iqjj 
 
 RESURRECTION . . . . -172 
 
 MELODY ..... 175 
 LIGHT ...... l80 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 " MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR THE LIVING GOD " 182 
 
 DE MORTE REVERENDI VIRI D. DOCTORIS MARTINI 
 
 LUTHERI . . . . .180 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF THAT REVERED MAN DR. MARTIN 
 
 LUTHER .... 187 
 
 DAS LETZTE BLATT . . , -188 
 
 THE LAST LEAF . . . ■ 189 
 
ECHOES OF ETEENITY. 
 
 
 " Ml VOICE SHALT THOU HEAR IN THE MORNING, O LORD ; IN THE MORNING 
 WILL I DIRECT MY PRAYER UNTO THEE, AND WILL LOOK UP." — PSALM V. 3. 
 
 Lo ! in the east the golden morn appearing, 
 
 Kindles high heaven ; 
 The world that night had covered with her mantle, 
 
 To sight is given, 
 Lit up by the gay sunshine — which illumes 
 Each woodland, vale, and mountain as they sleep — 
 
 And soft seclusion keep, 
 Where in a bed of pillowy clouds they lie, 
 Till glittering they stand forth beneath the sun's clear eye. 
 
 Thus Jesus, to my heart 
 
 Thy light and joy impart, 
 Thou Sun of my dark being ! waken there 
 
 The bright and cheering ray 
 
 Of Thy own perfect day, 
 With all its heavenly radiance blest and fair. 
 
Z ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Reveal each secret thing 
 Of this polluted heart's imagining, 
 This heart of mine 
 
 Which should an impress be 
 
 Thou gracious Lord, of Thee, 
 And in the likeness of Thy glory shine. 
 
 Oh let me walk this day encircled round 
 
 With thy pure light, 
 Wanned with thy love to compass duty's hound 
 
 Before Thy sight, 
 And as a creature of new life would I 
 
 My soul engage 
 With new devoted powers to consecrate 
 
 My pilgrimage ; 
 Whilst for this gift of new-horn life I raise 
 Creator of its breath to Thee the song of praise ! 
 
 I ask not an exemption from the ill 
 Which each day brings, — 
 No, but for love to bear it, and for faith 
 Whose virtue flings 
 A sanctifying charm o'er all terrestrial things, 
 Since to Thy own dear hand each good I owe 
 And to Thy heart 
 Which rich in blessing, makes my cup with blessings flow. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 3 
 
 I ask not outward calm — 
 Only Thy will, 
 And that a childlike spirit may be mine, 
 Serene and still ; 
 That when the world comes in with swelling tide 
 My soul to move, 
 Thy own adopted one, I may abide 
 Safe in Thy love : 
 Thus, lift my heart from earth to Thee and heaven above. 
 
 I ask not — give me Lord a quick release 
 
 When griefs oppress ; 
 No, but be Thou my peace amid the strife 
 
 Of earth's distress ; 
 I ask not — give me to inherit soon 
 Thy kingdom Lord ! 
 No, but before this breath 
 Shall be consumed in death, 
 Let sin itself within my being die, 
 Struck by Thy mighty arm, which gives the victory. 
 
 Sun of my morning hours ! let not Thy beams 
 
 Greet me this day in vain ; 
 But oh, be Thou my light oft as I tread 
 
 Where shades of darkness reign ; 
 Shine down upon my Spirit and bestow 
 Salvation, health and holy ecstasy — 
 
4 ECHOES OF ETEENITY. 
 
 So that on earth my pilgrim journey done — 
 
 I may behold with joy my evening's setting sun ! 
 
 Spitta. 
 
 Rising, to sing my Saviour's praise, 
 
 Thee, may I publish all day long, 
 
 And let thy precious word of grace 
 
 Flow from my heart and fill my tongue, 
 
 Fill all my life with purest love, 
 
 And join me to thy church above. 
 
 Wesley. 
 
 I will begin here also with the beginning of time, the morning : 
 
 * * retire your mind into a pure silence from all thoughts and 
 
 ideas of worldly things ; and in that frame wait upon God, to feel 
 
 his good presence, to lift up your hearts to Him, and commit your 
 
 whole self into his blessed care and protection : * * * read a 
 
 chapter or more in the Scriptures, and afterwards dispose yourselves 
 
 for the business of the day ; ever remembering that God is present, 
 
 the Overseer of all your thoughts, words and actions ; and demean 
 
 yourselves my dear children, accordingly; and do not you dare to 
 
 do that, in his holy, all-seeing presence, which you would be ashamed 
 
 a man, yea a child, should see you do. And as you have intervals 
 
 from your lawful occasions, delight to step home, within yourselves 
 
 I mean, and commune with your own hearts, and be still ; and 
 
 " One like the Son of God " you shall find and enjoy with you and 
 
 in you ; a treasure the world knows not of ; but is the aim, end and 
 
 diadem of the children of God. This will bear you up against all 
 
 temptations, and carry you sweetly and evenly through your day's 
 
 business ; supporting you under disappointments, and moderating 
 
 your satisfaction in success and prosperity. 
 
 William Fenn. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. O 
 
 Two things are required to begin a christian man — the first is 
 a steadfast faith, or trust in Almighty God — to obtain all the mercy 
 that he hath promised us through the deserving and merits of Christ's 
 blood only, without all respect to our own works ; — and the other is 
 that we forsake evil and turn to God to keep his laws, and to fight 
 against ourselves and our corrupt nature perpetually, that we may 
 do the will of God every day better and better. 
 
 William Tixdal. 
 
 My soul ! take down thy harp from the willow ; and now the night 
 is past, let the first of the morn find thee going forth in the matin 
 of praise to the Chief Singer. God the Holy Ghost is exciting thee, 
 it is He which points to Jesus. He shews thee the King in his 
 beauty, and bids thee behold his suitableness, transcendant excel- 
 lences, grace, love, favour, glory. Cany, then, all thy concerns to this 
 Chief Musician. Put forth all thy strength to praise Him, that 
 while Jesus is attentive to the Hallelujahs of Heaven, he may hear 
 thy feeble note, amidst all the songs which are offered Him, giving 
 glory to his great name, from the uttermost parts of the earth. 
 
 Dr. Hawker. 
 
" But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us : for it is toward 
 evening, and the day is far spent. and he went in to tarry with them." — 
 Luke xxrv. 29. 
 
 Oh Lord ! Thy presence through the clay's distractions 
 
 Has made them light ; 
 Stay with me when the evening closes round me 
 
 And ushers night. 
 As in the day with strength my soul sustaining 
 
 Thou tarriedst here, 
 So in the quiet of the evening watches 
 
 Do Thou draw near ; 
 Companion of my hours with toil opprest, — 
 Ahide Thou with me in my hours of rest ! 
 
 Alone with Thee my God ! and all apart 
 
 From worldling's noise, 
 Within my closet's sheltered privacy 
 
 I list Thy voice 
 
 With tutored ear ; 
 Speak Thou an evening blessing to my heart 
 
 That waits on thee, 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 7 
 
 Thy word of blessing has the power to bless 
 
 Benignantly ; 
 It falls like rain upon the thirsty soul 
 When tired with day's turmoil we seek its soft control. 
 
 Without Thee oh my God, the evening's fall 
 
 Is chill and lone, 
 But with Thee 'tis a sacred festival 
 
 Of loftiest tone ; 
 Whilst with Thy heart-refreshing solace crowned 
 
 I take my fill 
 Of blessings, which by Thy kind bounty given, 
 
 Their sweets distil : 
 When Thou art with me at the day's decline, 
 Then does each earthly good with heavenly lustre shine. 
 
 At hush of day come Thou rich visitant 
 
 My guest to be, 
 Oh come and make Thy own abiding home 
 
 Good Lord with me ! 
 From this past day's offences Thou canst give 
 
 A full release, — 
 Salvation's cup and the sweet balm of health 
 
 And joy and peace : 
 Then let me find reposing on Thy breast, 
 Beneath the night's brown shade, a soft and sacred rest. 
 
 SriTTA. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Oft as I lay me down to rest, 
 may the reconciling word 
 
 Sweetly compose my weary breast ! 
 While, on the bosom of my Lord, 
 
 I sink in blissful dreams away, 
 And visions of eternal day. 
 
 Wesley. 
 
 The evening come, read again the Holy Scripture, and have your 
 times of retirement as in the morning, that so the Lord may be 
 the Alpha and Omega of every day of your lives. 
 
 William Penn. 
 
 In the solitary retirement of a garden, how delightful was the 
 expanse studded with stars and the gentle moonlight to my soul ! — 
 There seemed something in me in fearful contrast to this sweetly 
 solemn scene, which singled me out amidst it all, as the only piece 
 of sin there ; and how emphatically did this word belong to that piece. 
 A Mediator was indeed precious, and it was the only idea which 
 emboldened me at that moment to cry ' Abba Father.' The im- 
 pressions and feelings of that short hour I ardently wished might 
 continue with me all the remainder of my pilgrimage. — Oh that 
 I may frequently recall this balmy night of exquisite celestiality, 
 which seemed as if only fit for the participation of freed spirits, 
 freed from corruption and mortality. Lord, it was good to be there, 
 for I found Thee whom my soul best loveth. 
 
 Memoklals of Two Sisters. 
 
Mwlb Ivlrai wmmwtx of Wfcue 
 
 Behold the Father's love ! 
 
 He makes His goodness plain, 
 Whilst bending down His face on us, 
 His mild compassions reign. 
 His well-beloved Son He gives, 
 
 By whom the ransomed sinner lives ; 
 See heaven's best treasure given to save 
 The vilest abject from the grave ! 
 Again behold the Father's love 
 Which shines upon us from above ! 
 
 Look on the Saviour's love, 
 
 Deep in His breast that flowed ! 
 He freely suffered all for us 
 
 That we might come to God. 
 Upon the cross extended see, 
 He bears that woeful agony ! 
 He pours the life-blood from His veins 
 To wash away our guilty stains : 
 Again, the Saviour's love behold ! 
 A love by mortal lips untold. 
 
 c 
 
10 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Sec too the precious love 
 The Holy Ghost displays, 
 
 Whilst to the vilest of the vile, 
 He teaches wisdom's ways ! 
 He chides and counsels — and His voice 
 Of comfort, bids the heart rejoice : 
 Thus ever in our inmost ear, 
 He speaks in whispers soft and clear ; 
 Who would not praise then, love like this 
 Full in its three-fold plenteousness ! 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
 The Father, shining on His throne, 
 The glorious co-eternal Son, 
 
 The Spirit one and seven, 
 Conspire our rapture to complete ; 
 And lo ! Ave fall before His feet 
 
 And silence heightens heaven. 
 
 The universal King 
 
 Let all the world proclaim ; 
 
 Let every creature sing 
 His attributes and name ! 
 Him Three in One, and One in Three, 
 
 Extol to all eternity ! 
 
 Wesley. 
 
 Wesley. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 11 
 
 The doctrine of the Trinity is to the Christian the key of the 
 Bible. The Spirit imparting skill to use it, and the power ; when 
 used, it unlocks this divine arcana of mysteries, and throws open 
 every door in the blest sanctuary of truth. But it is in the light of 
 salvation that its fitness and beauty most distinctly appears — salva- 
 tion in which Jehovah appears so inimitably glorious— so like 
 Himself. The Father's love appears in sending His Son ; the 
 Son's love in undertaking the work; the Holy Spirit's love in 
 applying the work. And in the manner of prayer, how sus- 
 taining to faith, and how soothing to the mind, when we can 
 embrace in our ascending petitions, the blessed Three in One. 
 For through Him (the Son) we both have access by one Spirit 
 unto the Father. 
 
 Dr. Winslow. 
 
& Xacetojdl. 
 
 "Then Pall answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine 
 heart?" — Acts xxi. 13. 
 
 What mean ye thus those tears to weep ? 
 
 To w r eep and break mine heart ; 
 In Jesu's brotherhood we meet 
 
 And never more shall part. 
 
 The bond that binds our spirits here 
 No time or place can sever ; — 
 
 That which is stablished in the Lord 
 Stands fast in Him for ever. 
 
 We give the hand of friendship firm 
 
 As men are wont to do ; 
 With promise of eternal faith 
 
 And hearts for ever true. 
 
 We look on loved companions — 
 We deem that look our last, — 
 
 But surely, Jesus round our souls, 
 His mantling love hath cast. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 13 
 
 With mortal men 'tis " here and there," 
 
 " Thou goest," and " I stay," 
 But when united in our Head 
 
 All hounds of place give way. 
 
 We talk of separations, 
 
 Once more a kind adieu, 
 Whilst still we travel one same road 
 
 With one same home in view. 
 
 Then why should grief our hearts distress, 
 
 And tears of sorrow flow ? 
 We know our soul's Beloved One, 
 
 And at His side we go. 
 
 Beneath the same kind Guardian, 
 
 And led hy one same hand, 
 By one same path of safety still, 
 
 We gain one Father-land. 
 
 Then let not sorrow shade the hour 
 
 As parting moments fly, 
 But let new covenant with Christ 
 
 Our Spirit's theme supply. 
 
 When Jesus is our chosen good, 
 
 The joy that crowns each heart, 
 We are not to each other lost 
 
 When thus on earth we part. 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
14 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Those who are united to the Saviour, when once a friendship 
 is formed, can never part. They may indeed, be at a distance, still 
 they are one in Him ; one Father loves them, one Saviour blesses 
 them, one Spirit smiles on them. They meet before the same 
 mercy-seat, they travel the same road, and though their tents 
 may be pitched for a season in different parts, they live in the 
 blessed hope of finally assembling around the same Throne, sing- 
 ing the same song, and for ever enjoying the same inheritance. 
 Could we but keep that day in view, temporary partings would only 
 make us more earnestly desire eternal union. May it be your 
 privilege to live always realizing this blessed hope. 
 
 J. Haldaxe Stewaet, 
 
 How gladly would we have travelled together through the 
 wilderness, but it might not be ; still the same guide is vouchsafed 
 to both, and he will lead us by a right way — for this is our assur- 
 ance, ' the Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, 
 from this time forth and for evermore.' Pasting Gift. 
 
 What very great delight there is in the society of those whose 
 society is in heaven, and how delightful is the love of those who 
 first love God ! I have often gone to you lately, and have highly 
 enjoyed our intercourse ; and also I have frequently been hoping 
 for good and pleasure, when my heart has been sadly depressed 
 and distracted. Then I have always felt that the best society of 
 those we most fondly love can give us no real pleasure, unless God 
 accompanies us into their company, any more than a beautiful 
 landscape can delight when there is no sun to gild it. And I have 
 sometimes left you, bitterly feeling deep remorse for my folly, in 
 endeavouring, or expecting to find pleasure in anything whilst my 
 
 heart felt separated from God. 
 
 M. A. SCHXMMELPENNINCK. 
 
t Us alms of Babifr. 
 
 My son, if with that true devotion, which is acceptable 
 to the pure mind of God, thou art desirous of paying the 
 homage due to the name of Christ, — if thy mind is 
 practised to discern the grand source from which all 
 things proceed, and to mark that Almighty power which 
 sustains and governs the worlds ; — then ponder well 
 these venerable oracles attuned to the harp of the son of 
 Jesse, which of old sounded forth the true faith ; — and 
 as Moses beheld the glory of God in the clefts of the 
 rock, so believe me, my son, shall it also be revealed to 
 
 thee in these sacred songs. 
 
 Melakcthok. 
 Wittemburg, 1500. 
 
 And now, could the author flatter himself that anyone would take 
 hull' the pleasure in reading the following exposition, which he hath 
 taken in writing it, he would not fear the loss of his lahour. The 
 employment detached him from the hustle and hurry of life, the 
 din of politics and the noise of folly ; vanity and vexation flew away 
 for a season, care and disquietude came not near his dwelling. He 
 arose, fresh as the morning to his task; the silence of the night 
 
16 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 invited him to pursue it : and he can truly say that food and rest 
 
 were not preferred before it. Every Psalm improved infinitely upon 
 
 his acquaintance with it, and no one gave him uneasiness but the 
 
 last ; for then he grieved that his work was done. Happier hours 
 
 than those which have been spent on these meditations on the songs 
 
 of Sion, he never expects to see in this world. Very pleasantly did 
 
 they pass, and moved swiftly and smoothly along : for when thus 
 
 engaged he counted no time. They are gone, but have left a relish 
 
 and a fragrance upon the mind, and the remembrance of them is 
 
 sweet. 
 
 Bishop Horxe on the Psalms. 
 
 De tous les prophetes, celui qui nous est le plus connu c'est 
 David, dont l'histoire nous est rapportec avec le plus de deve- 
 loppement. L'objet capital de la mission que David a re9ue de 
 Dieu, pour toutes les generations dans l'Eglise, c'est le compo- 
 sition des Psaumes. Voyez les prieres d'un David, les Psaumes, 
 des prieres qui out ete capables non-senlement de le soutenir lui- 
 meme, mais qui sout comme les cent cinquante colounes qui sou- 
 tiennent de generation en generation, et qui soutiendront jusqu'a 
 la fin du monde, toutes les generations du peuple de Dieu ! 
 
 Adolphe Monod. 
 
.cmie ndbiess. 
 
 ::o 
 
 " For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were 
 dissolved, we have a building of god, a house not made with hands, 
 eternal in the heavens." 2. cor. v. 1. 
 
 Hungering, thirsting as we go 
 On our fainting course below, 
 Where the world's commotion seems 
 Genius of our waking dreams, 
 All our yearning spirits move 
 Towards our Father's house above. 
 
 Here we walk in pilgrim dress 
 Tattered by the wilderness, 
 And the very shoes we wear 
 Chafe the weary passenger. 
 
 Let us hasten then to rise 
 To our mansion in the skies, 
 To the Saviour's home above, 
 Purchased by His dying love ; 
 Shades of earth shall then depart. 
 And in every stricken heart 
 Tain shall heave her latest sigh 
 As we drop mortality. 
 
18 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 There, a clean escape from sin 
 
 Disembodied souls shall win, 
 
 And the Lord, enthroned on high, 
 
 In unclouded majesty. 
 
 They shall worship — whilst they wait 
 
 Serving on his regal state, 
 
 And with angel bands agree 
 
 In devoted harmony. 
 
 But with what a long delay 
 Dost thou Lord thy purpose stay ! 
 And our earth-bound souls in vain, 
 Seek the heavenly heights to gain. 
 O then help us, make us meet 
 To enjoy that blissful seat, 
 Where thy children, victor-crowned, 
 Shall their victor-songs resound, 
 Where the banquet of Thy love 
 Shall their sweet refreshment prove, 
 And their ransomed spirits be 
 Ever, gracious Lord, with Thee ' 
 
 Spitt. 
 
 There are blessed moments, in which the soul, by converse 
 with Christ and His eternal kingdom, has such views, that the 
 whole world below seems but one noisy impertinence. I heard 
 somebody at such a moment, come in and discourse gravely on the 
 news about Buonaparte. It then seemed too trifling to be thought 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 19 
 
 of; but I know that to-ruorrow I shall be asking after Buonaparte. 
 Blessed moment, (not far off,) when I shall behold His Glory ! 
 
 And flesh and sin no more control, 
 
 The sacred pleasures of the soul. 
 
 Richard Cecil. 
 
 We know, by faith we know, 
 If this vile house of clay, 
 
 Tliis tabernacle sink below 
 In ruinous decay ; 
 We have a house above, 
 Not made with mortal hands ; 
 
 And firm as our Piedeemer's love 
 That heavenly fabric stands. 
 
 Absent alas ! from God, 
 We in the body mourn ; 
 
 And pine to quit this mean abode 
 And languish to return : 
 Jesus ! regard our vows, 
 And change our faith to sight, 
 
 And clothe us with our nobler hous< 
 Of empyrean light ! 
 
 Wesley. 
 
 It is from the sides of eternity I now address you. I am 
 heartily sorry that I have so little strength to write what 1 long so 
 much to communicate to you. But let me tell you, my brother, 
 eternity is another thing than we ordinarily take it to be in a 
 healthful state. Oh I how vast and boundless. Oh, how fixed 
 and unalterable! Oh, ofwhal Infinite Importance La it thai we be 
 
20 ECHOES OF ETEKNITY. 
 
 prepared for eternity ! I have been just a dying, now for more 
 
 than a week, and all around me have thought me so ; but in this 
 
 time I have had clear views of eternity, have seen the blessedness 
 
 of the godly in some measure, and have longed to share their 
 
 happy state, as well as been comfortably satisfied, that through 
 
 grace I 6hall do so. 
 
 D. Brainerd. 
 
 His breathing being difficult, he said, " It is labour, but not 
 sorrow. ! deliver me, if consistent with thy blessed will. I 
 am in the hands of a merciful God — take me. I can give up all 
 in this world. Mercy ! Mercy ! Oh I come, come, blessed Jesus, 
 if it is consistent with thy blessed will." "0! for patience I" he 
 exclaimed ; " ! for a little help to be preserved in patience;" 
 adding, after some further expression, " But surely mercy 
 is even now covering the judgment-seat as to a hair's 
 breadth." A hope was expressed to him, that although the 
 body was brought very low, the mind was anchored on the un- 
 failing rock ; he promptly replied, " yes : — if it were not so, 
 what should I now do, or what would now become of me ? Ah ! 
 truly, I am a poor creature every way, wholly dependant upon the 
 mercy of my Redeemer ; and if He do but permit the pearl gates to 
 be so far opened, that I may be admitted within them, it will be 
 enough. Oil see the goodly land before me, and the glorious 
 journey thither, but I am not yet permitted to enter it. It is 
 indeed a beautiful prospect, as clear to the eye of my soul as any 
 outward object to the natural sight." He then exclaimed, " the 
 love of my Bedeemer, how sweet it is. May my latest breath be en- 
 gaged in singing His praises." He further observed, that he had 
 no works or merit of his own to carry with him on that beautiful 
 road, nor any claim to prefer at the pearl gates, but the love and 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 21 
 
 mercy of that Saviour, who shed His precious blood for him. 
 * * He quietly passed away from time to eternity, on the 
 12th of the 6th month, 1836, aged about eighty-two years. 
 Memoir of Thomas Shillitoe, 
 
 A 3Iinister of the Society of Friends. 
 
 Dr. Shirley, Bishop of Sodor and Man, was while travelling, 
 attacked Avith the disease which terminated his life. During his 
 short illness he said to his wife — " I M., I have had during this 
 illness, such an insight into the eternal world, that death seems a 
 mere transition. I believe heaven to be only an expansion of that 
 intense happiness which I am now enjoying in communion with 
 God. Oh ! what a bauble is this world, what a mere bubble to be 
 caring about !" When Mrs. Shirley was reading to him, 1 John. 4, 
 he stopped her at the 18th verse, and repeated — " Yes, ' perfect love 
 casteth out fear — he that feareth is not made perfect in love.' I 
 have no little scruples ; a child who loves his father is not always 
 thinking whether he is offending him — he does his best to please 
 him, and feels assured of his love. ' Perfect love casteth out fear.' " 
 * * * At eight o'clock, a.m., 21st of April, 1847, after three deep 
 sighs, he exchanged time for eternity. 
 
 Memoir of Bishop Shirley. 
 
m uu % 
 
 "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he 
 might be Lord both of the dead and living." — Romans xiv. 9. 
 
 We are the Lord's, in living or in dying ! 
 We are the Lord's, who once for all men died ! 
 We are the Lord's, and shall all things inherit ! 
 We are the Lord's, who won all things for us ! 
 
 We are the Lord's ! So let us live unto Him, 
 
 His own, with soul and hody freely His, 
 
 And heart, and mouth, and walk shall bear us witness 
 
 That it is surely true, we are the Lord's ! 
 
 We are the Lord's ! So in the darksome valley 
 No shadowing forms shall come, but one clear star 
 Shall lighten us with its untroubled shining, — 
 It is that precious word : — we are the Lord's ! 
 
 We are the Lord's ! So shall He keep and save us 
 
 In the last fight, when other help is far ; 
 
 No evil shall from death befal our spirit, 
 
 That word stands ever true : — we are the Lord's ! 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 23 
 
 A dream of Mary Fletcher's during her last illness. 
 
 She dreamt she was going down a rough road, with a 
 short wall by the side of it, which she leaned upon, and called it 
 the wall of salvation. All the light she had while getting along 
 with difficulty was a twinkling star. She persevered to the end, 
 but then found a mud pond, which when she saw, she thought, — 
 " Well, if this is the way, I'll plunge in ;" but while she was intend- 
 ing to do so, in a moment of time, the twinkling star became a 
 bright comet, and by the blazing light it gave, she discovered a 
 clear narrow path, by which she was instantly over, she hardly 
 knew how. In relating this to a friend, she said, " I am going 
 down the rough road, this illness has been a long and painful one, 
 but I lean upon the wall of salvation, and the comet will come. 
 
 The following passage is from the Memoir of Richard Foster, 
 a Minister of the Society of Friends. 
 
 His decline Avas gradual, but his bodily sufferings were often 
 great; he was however strengthened to sustain them unrepiningly ; 
 his heart overflowed with love, and as he drew near the close of all 
 on earth, his spirit seemed to be irradiated from the unseen world : 
 for on its being remarked that he was passing through the dark 
 valley, he replied " It is not dark to me ; I see a bright light 
 beyond it." When asked if he felt happy, he exclaimed " Happy 
 beyond conception." Again, "Is this dying ? glory, glory!" and 
 thus through that faith in Jesus, which giveth the victory, he 
 triumphantly passed away, on the 24th of fifth month, 1858. 
 
 hi reference to my outward affairs, having eel mj house in order 
 I am waiting, sensible of the approach of death ; having no desire 
 after life, enjoying the satisfaction thai I shall leave my children 
 
24 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 in an orderly way, and having less need of me, than when things 
 
 were less contracted and settled. I feel that death is a king of 
 
 terrors, and know that my strength to triumph over him, must be 
 
 given me by the Lord, at the very season when the trying time 
 
 cometh. My sight to-day of things beyond the grave, will be 
 
 insufficient in that hour, to keep me from the sting of death when 
 
 he comes. It is the Lord alone who will then stand by me, 
 
 and help me to resist the evil one, who is very busy when the 
 
 tabernacle is dissolving, his work being at an end when 
 
 the earthen vessel is broken. O Lord, what quiet, safety, or ease 
 
 is there in any state but that wherein we feel thy living power : 
 
 all desirable tilings are in this. 
 
 Mary Pennington. 
 
'\z %ff rating nf &rat 
 
 " When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great 
 joy." — Matt. ii. 10. 
 
 Thou who in the night of death 
 
 Didst with purest radiance shine, 
 Lord Redeemer ! 
 
 Pouring in Thy light divine : 
 Thee, in Herod's hall of state, 
 
 Thee I sought, and sought in vain ; 
 Pomp and glitter round him sate, 
 
 Lust and luxury held their reign, — 
 But my spirit turned to Thee 
 In its deep-felt poverty ; 
 And my yet unquiet hreast 
 Longed to find in Thee its rest. 
 
 Thence I wandered — seeking still, 
 Where my gracious Lord might dwell ; 
 Reason's venerated lore 
 Impress none of Jesus hore ; 
 Nor upon the worldly wise 
 Did the star of Jacob rise. 
 
26 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Truly as the blind they spoke 
 Of the light whose glorious ray 
 
 From their dark horizon broke 
 To ascend its heaven-ward way ; 
 
 And with them I failed to find 
 
 The Redeemer of mankind. 
 
 In the Temple's sacred bound, 
 
 Where upon the altar, glowed 
 Fire of incense 
 
 To permme the courts of God, — 
 Where in gorgeous pomp arrayed 
 
 Pure devotion seemed to smile, — 
 Where the glittering lights displayed 
 
 Charms to dazzle and beguile ; 
 Symbols of Himself I found 
 Shadowed forth in all around, 
 But in that majestic fane 
 Christ my Lord I sought in vain ; 
 And as there I found him not, 
 So Jerusalem, in thee, 
 In thy every hallowed spot 
 
 Nought of Jesus could I see ; 
 Then I took my onward way 
 Where the plains of Bethlehem lay. 
 Here, in silence and alone, 
 
 Her deserted streets I trod, 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 27 
 
 Brother-wanderer was there none 
 
 Who could guide rne to my God : 
 When, behold ! with sweet surprise, 
 
 In the heavens a radiant star, 
 Shining in the upper skies, 
 
 Greets my vision from afar, — 
 Seeking thus with faith divine, 
 
 Lo, at length the Saviour mine 
 
 Only seek, and thou shalt find 
 
 Jesus as thy all in all ; 
 Be not thou of faltering mind, 
 
 Let not toilsome ways appal, 
 Nor thy soul's supreme desire 
 Born from heaven, in earth expire. 
 Simply following, full of faith, 
 
 Free from reason's doubtful strife. 
 Take possession of the word, 
 
 Word of promise, word of life ; 
 Heaven's effulgence then shall shine 
 And its guiding star be thine. 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
 And if a man be unwise and unrighteous, his offerings arc 
 unhallowed, and his sacrifices unholy things ; and his prayers are 
 discordant and capable of nothing but perdition ; and even when 
 they seem to be offered, they work not the remission, but the 
 
28 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 remembrance of sins. But if he be holy and righteous, his sacrifice 
 remains stedfast, whether flesh be offered, but still more if no 
 victim at all be brought. For what is the true sacrifice but the 
 worship of the soul which loves God? whose thanksgiving remaineth 
 for ever, and is inscribed as a memorial with God — doing Him 
 service with the sun, and with the moon, and with the whole 
 creation. Philo. 
 
 I rose, and round the city rang'd, in vain, 
 For He was not among the busy train : — 
 What place is left unransacked ? Oh where next 
 
 Shall I go seek the author of my rest ? 
 
 Of what bless'd angel shall my lips inquire 
 
 The undiscovered way to that entire 
 
 And everlasting solace of my heart's desire ! 
 
 I reach'd this glorious city ; he's not here : 
 
 I sought the country ; she stands empty-handed ; 
 
 I searched the court; he is a stranger there : 
 
 I asked the land ; he's shipped : the sea ; he's landed. 
 
 Ev'n whilst mine eyes were blind, and heart was bleeding, 
 He that was sought, unfound, was found, unsought, 
 As if the sun should dart his orb of light 
 Into the secrets of the black-browed night : 
 
 Ev'n so appeared my love, my sole, my soul's delight. 
 
 Quahles. 
 
 Having being tenant long to a rich Lord, 
 Not thriving, I resolved to be bold, 
 And make a suit unto him to afford 
 
 A new small-rented lease, and cancel the old. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 29 
 
 In Heaven, at his manor I him sought : 
 
 They told me there, that he was lately gone 
 About some land, which he had dearly bought 
 
 Long since on earth, to take possession. 
 
 I straight returned, and knowing his great birth, 
 Sought him accordingly in great resorts : 
 In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts ; 
 
 At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth 
 
 Of thieves and murderers : there I him espied, 
 Who straight, " Your suit is granted " said, and died . 
 
 Herbert. 
 
 When marshall'd on the nightly plain, 
 
 The glitt'ring host bestud the sky ; 
 One Star alone of all the train, 
 
 Can fix the sinner's wand'ring eye. 
 
 Hark ! hark ! to God the chorus breaks, 
 
 From ev'ry host from every gem ; 
 But one alone the Saviour speaks, 
 
 It is the star of Bethlehem. 
 
 Kteke White. 
 
" The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his 
 1'iace where he arose." — eccles. i. 5. 
 
 What gorgeous hues of light combine 
 And wait on yonder sun's decline, 
 As now his softened lustre sheds 
 Life, joy and blessing on our heads, 
 And eye and soul and sense agree 
 In one delightful sympathy ! 
 No longer, Lord, our dazzled sight 
 Adoring, tracks that orb of light ; 
 He sinks behind the mountain's brow 
 Which shines with golden margin now, 
 And in vermilion tints are dyed 
 The lofty hills the landscape wide. 
 
 And is he set ? so sink away 
 When He who rules the king of day, 
 Speaks by His nod — go then decline 
 The glories that around us shine, 
 The worldly pomp, the lordly might, 
 Exchanged for dust and glooms of night. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 31 
 
 Yes he is set ; and distant far 
 
 From us liath flown his radiant car ; — 
 
 The light that hless'd our eastern skies 
 
 Is gone on far-off lands to rise ; 
 
 To them the new-horn day he brings, 
 
 Whilst thousands praise Thee, King of Kings, 
 
 Friend of mankind ! for light henign 
 
 By thy kind bounty sent to shine 
 
 On children whom thy hand hath strewn 
 
 Throughout this earth's remotest zone. 
 
 Thou hidd'st the clouds with purple glow, 
 The blushing hills lie spread below : 
 Look where those mountain tops appear ! 
 And oh how soft the evening air ; 
 With life-refreshing breath it comes — 
 From upland heights, from nature's homes. 
 But now the glorious landscape wears 
 A dewy paleness, bathed in tears : 
 It fades — the beauteous colours fly — 
 And all its living roses die. 
 
 Creator, God ! Thy work are we, 
 
 And children of Thy family : 
 
 Thou art our light, when over all 
 
 Hath darkness spread her shadowing pall ; 
 
32 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Thy mercy gives our eyelids sleep 
 
 Whilst Thou dost guardian vigils keep, 
 
 And call'st us when refreshed we rise 
 
 To hail the morning's golden skies. 
 
 Thy teaching voice is understood — 
 
 It tells us Lord ! that Thou art good ; 
 
 That Thou the source and centre art 
 
 Of every joy that fills the heart, — 
 
 And for Thy love, so full, so free, 
 
 It asks an answering love to Thee. 
 
 Lavater. 
 
 Extract from " Travels in the Holy Land,'' by Wm. Rae Wilson. 
 
 Next morning I set out, and arrived in the evening at Malaga. 
 One custom struck me as remarkable : on entering the town, at the 
 principle promenade, just as the sun was going down ; every 
 person who had a few minutes previously, marked the progress of 
 the sun, whether they were pedestrians, on horseback, or in 
 carriages, stood still in a moment, on this glorious luminary 
 disappearing, as if by an immediate impulse, or word of command ; 
 when they remained uncovered, the females veiling their faces with 
 their fans, and a devotional soliloquy was repeated by each, 
 expressive of gratitude for mercies received from the God of 
 heaven, during the day. 
 
 How fine has the day been, how bright was the sun ! 
 How glorious and joyful the race that he run ! 
 Though he rose in a mist when his course he begun 
 And there followed some droppings of rain ; 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 33 
 
 Yet now the fair traveller's come to the west, 
 His rays are all gold, and his beauty is best ; 
 He paints the sky gay as he sinks to his rest, 
 And foretels a bright rising again. 
 
 Just such is the christian, his course he begins 
 
 Like the sun in a mist, when he mourns for his sins— 
 
 And melts into tears ; — then he breaks out and shines. 
 
 And travels his heavenward way ; 
 And as he draws nearer, to finish his race, 
 Like a fine setting sun he looks richer in grace, 
 And gives a sure hope at the end of his days, 
 
 Of rising in brighter array. 
 
 Dr. Watts. 
 
"And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth 
 even a morning "without clouds; as the tender grass springing out 01 
 the earth by clear shining after rain." — 2. s.\m. xxiii. 4. 
 
 Grey clouds are gathering overhead 
 
 Their pall of sombre hue, 
 And still their deepening shades come on 
 
 To circle round heaven's blue. 
 
 And thou ! methinks from thee hath flown 
 Bright shining of thy skies, 
 
 And all thy soul is overcast 
 With sorrow's sable dyes. 
 
 But see ! the clouds in showers descend. 
 
 And now shines out heaven's blue ! 
 Again 'tis sunshine in thy soul, 
 
 Though tears thy cheek bedew ! 
 
 Spitta. 
 
 1 felt a little ray of comfort this morning in these words " My 
 King and my God;" for however tried, however afflicted, however 
 clouded we may he, in this there is indeed hope and consolation, 
 (if it ] (lease Almighty loving-kindness to permit us to see it,) even 
 
ECHOES OF ETEBNITT. So 
 
 to feel that the Most High is our King and our God ; that he hath 
 in abundant mercy manifested himself to be so, and that now and 
 then, through the help of our Redeemer, we have been enabled to 
 prove that we have sought to serve him, and desired that He alone 
 should be our King and our God. Dearest, kindest Lord, Thou 
 who hast regarded me, and dispersed many clouds forme, be pleased 
 yet to regard me, whatever be my state, however low I may lie 
 brought before Thee, and in thine own time disperse my clouds ; 
 let the sun arise as clear shining after rain. 
 
 Elizabeth Fry. 
 
 From the dark chamber where the sick one lay 
 The sister came : I asked, " Is she no more ?" 
 No words she spake, but a sweet sunshine o'er 
 Her parted lips in thankfulness did play ; 
 And tears that chased the darkness all away 
 Pour'd from their lucid founts, so dim before. 
 That blessed rain did all our hearts restore : 
 And, Oh ! the brightness of that healing ray. 
 
 John Eagles. 
 
" A.N J) OF HIS ILLNESS HAVE ALL WE RECEIVED, AND GRACE FOB GRACE. 
 
 John I. 10. 
 
 Oh where doth mercy dwell 
 Which holdeth not the sinner in disdain ? 
 
 And where is love 
 That doth with open amis go forth to meet 
 
 The penitent ? 
 Oh where is sin forgiven, and a veil thrown 
 
 Over disgrace and shame ? 
 And, in despite the terrors death and hell 
 
 Would cast around, 
 The blessing given of everlasting life ? 
 Be of good courage ! for with Jesus Christ 
 
 Such grace in fulness dwells. 
 
 Where shall we find a balm to heal our wounds, 
 
 A solace for our pain ? 
 Oh where does wisdom dwell, — and tell me where 
 Shall the soul void of counsel and of peace, 
 
 Her consolation find ? 
 
 Oh where resides the power 
 That renovates the spirit of our minds, 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 That lifts the fallen ones up 
 
 And gives us strength 
 For life's laborious, undiverted course ? 
 
 Whose guardian care 
 Preserves us that we miss not of our way ? 
 Take comfort ! for with Jesus Christ we find 
 
 Such rich supplies of grace. 
 
 Who gives us life to satisfy, and joy 
 
 In sorrow's darkening hour, 
 Whilst in the Providence of God we find 
 
 Our soul's supreme content ? 
 Who gives us childlike trust and lays us down 
 
 In a kind father's lap ? 
 Who doth our vain cares banish ; and permits 
 That we God's works of wonder should behold '. 
 
 Kejoice thyself in this, — 
 Thy Jesus Christ is of such grace the giver. 
 
 Who gives the spirit of a child of God, 
 
 With pure humility, 
 That questions nothing of His holy mind : 
 Meekness, that unprovoked, lays at her side 
 
 The winged shaft of scorn ; 
 And love, the gift of grace, that waiting stands 
 For every service ready ; whose full heart 
 
 Holds back no sacrifi 
 Bui can rejoice with them that do rejoice? 
 
38 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Thank God ! Thy Jesus Christ the giver is 
 Of graces such as these. 
 
 Who makes it gain to die, and so ordains 
 
 We should not look on death ? 
 And when stripped hare of all things, from this scene 
 
 Of earth we go, 
 Who makes us heirs of everlasting good ? 
 
 Whose the decree 
 That yet once more the harvest of this world. 
 Sown hy his hand, shall, through his holy word 
 
 In glory rise 
 To crown the season of a new-born spring ? 
 Wake songs of praise ! Thy Jesus Christ bestows 
 
 Such grace as this. 
 
 Oh Thou eternal Word ! who unto all 
 Disposest all things, and who art thyself 
 
 Our all in all, 
 Since it hath pleased the Father that in Thee 
 
 All fulness dwells, 
 
 Thou hast invited all, 
 And all may come in near approach to Thee : 
 How blessed then the soul that can receive, 
 
 And with true sense enjoy 
 Both what Thou giv'st, and what Thyself Thou art ! 
 
 Spitta. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 30 
 
 Yes! there is both balm in Gilead, and a Physician there! for 
 the blood and righteousness of Jesus is the truest balm : and Jesus 
 himself a Sovereign and an Almighty Physician. But if that 
 blood be not applied, if Jesus be not known nor consulted, how 
 shall health be obtained? my soul! hast thou known thy disease, 
 felt thy disorder ; art thou convinced that it is incu- 
 rable by all human means, — no medicine, no earthly physician 
 can administer relief? Hast thou known these things? And 
 convinced of the infinite importance of seeking elsewhere, art 
 thou come to Jesus ? What sayest thou my soul to the inquiry ? 
 Art thou acquainted with Jesus ? Hast thou made known tin- 
 case to him ? And hath he told thee all that is in thine heart ? 
 Hath he taken thee under his care? Is he administering to thee 
 the balm of Gilead ? Oh my soul ! see to it that nothing 
 satisfieth thy mind, until that thou hast heard his soul-reviving 
 voice, saying, I am the Lord that healeth thee. Seek it for thy 
 life, say unto the Son of God — "speak but the word. Lord, and my 
 
 soul shall be healed." 
 
 Dr. Hawker. 
 
 Christ is a path if any be misled; 
 He is a robe if any naked be ; 
 
 If any chance to hunger, He is bread : 
 If any be a bondsman, He is fri 
 If any be but weak, how strong is He; 
 
 To dead men, life ; He is to sick men, health ; 
 
 'I'o blind men, sight; and to the needy, wealth ; 
 
 A pleasure without loss, a treasure without stealth ! 
 
 It- ought to lie the habit of our souls, us the hours of each daj 
 pass over us, frequently to bring our ignorance and weakness to 
 the Fountain of light and strength ; — our poverty and emptines 
 to the fulness which is in Christ. J. J. Gurney. 
 
40 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Jesus died to redeem you from eternal woe, and make you happy 
 for ever in heaven. He comes to you, and, showing the marks of 
 his wounds, says " see how I loved thee, sinner ! I love thee still ! 
 Come unto me that I may save thee from sin and from hell !" Oh 
 reject not so gracious a Saviour. Trample not under foot such 
 wonderful love ! You will never meet with such another Mend ! 
 Trust him ! Love him ! You will always find him full of 
 pity and tenderness ! He will comfort, guide, protect and 
 save you amid all the dangers and sorows of life, deliver you 
 from the sting of death, and then make you happy for ever in 
 heaven ! come to this loving Saviour. 
 
 Newman Hall. 
 
% : P%;ri.m ? 3 fpBg. 
 
 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but 
 having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced 
 them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the 
 earth." "for they that say such things declare plainly that they 
 seek a country." — hep.. xi. 13. 11. 
 
 Amid the world's vexations 
 
 Oh let me not complain. 
 Although in grief I languish 
 
 Or agonize with pain. 
 
 I seek no crown of honor 
 
 Where a crown of thorns He wore 
 The Lord of life and glory 
 
 Who thus my trespass horc. 
 
 I would not seek to follow 
 
 A path where roses he, 
 For here the High and Holy One 
 
 Bled on the accursed tree. 
 
 Lord ! grant me for life's journey, 
 Thy truth with guiding pay, 
 
 And send Thy Holy Spirit down 
 To lead me in the way ! 
 
42 ECHOES OF ETERNITY, 
 
 And now with full surrender 
 I'll walk with Thee my God ! 
 
 Where that steep narrow pathway 
 Thy holy footsteps trod. 
 
 With still increasing virtue 
 Let faith my portion he, 
 
 And her sweet fruit of blessing, 
 Pure, fervent charity. 
 
 Without her sacred presence 
 In vain my tent I move, 
 
 For love alone can lead us 
 To find our home in love. 
 
 Beneath her hallow'd guidance, 
 Sustained by her alone, 
 
 Through this wide world I follow- 
 She brings me to Thy throne. 
 
 Dear Lord ! Thy voice of mercy 
 Has called me to Thy side, 
 
 Yet still earth's toilsome pathways 
 My soul from heaven divide. 
 
 But thence, with arm extended 
 Do Thou my weakness stay ; 
 
 And oh, uphold Thy servant 
 To run his heavenward way ! 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 43 
 
 Teach me to gaze with rapture 
 
 To Thy blue heavens on high, 
 While thus entranced in vision 
 
 I commune with the sky ! 
 
 Let themes like these beguile me 
 
 As earthly shades I view! 
 Whilst peace within my bosom 
 
 Shall whisper — ' heaven is true.' 
 
 Yes ! here on earth a stranger, 
 
 I bind grief's mantle on, 
 A pilgrim veiled in shadow, 
 
 And sorrow's favorite son. 
 
 But see, my chosen signet ! 
 
 The cross my true love claims ; 
 It speaks of Him, the dearest 
 
 Of all beloved names. 
 
 And still my cherished token 
 
 The Saviour's cross shall be. 
 Until in Canaan's glories 
 
 My Fatherland I see ! 
 
 Sim 11 a. 
 
 should we not mention that lie had ;i heart susceptible of tin.' 
 most tender friendship ? I have frequently thought that this, of 
 :ill others, was the distinguishing pari of his character. How few 
 
44 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 have we known of so kind a temper, of such large and flowing 
 affections ? Was it not principally by this that the hearts of others 
 were so strangely drawn and knit to him ? Can anything but love 
 beget love ? This shone in his very countenance, and continually 
 breathed in all his words, whether in public or private. Was 
 it not this, which quick and penetrating as lightning, flew from 
 heart to heart ? Which gave that life to his sermons, his conver- 
 sations, his letters ? Ye are witnesses ! 
 
 Wesley's Sermon on tlie Death of White field . 
 
 Give me my scallop-shell of quiet, 
 My staffe of faith to walk upon, 
 My scrip of joye, (immortal diet !) 
 My bottle of salvation, 
 My gowne of glory, hope's true gage ; 
 — And thus I take my pilgrimage. 
 
 Blood must be my body's balmer, 
 While my soule, like peaceful palmer, 
 Travelleth tow'rds the land of heaven ; 
 Other balm will not be given. 
 
 Over the silver mountains, 
 
 Where spring the nectar fountains, 
 
 There will I kiss 
 
 The bowle of bliss, 
 
 And drink mine everlasting till, 
 
 Upon every milken hill ; 
 
 My soul will be a-dry before, 
 
 But after that will thirst no more. 
 
 Sir Walteb Raleigh 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 45 
 
 Now the pilgrim prays, and then trials an.- light ; 
 
 For prayer to him, on his way, 
 Resembles the pillar of fire by night, 
 
 And the guiding cloud by day. 
 
 And when Zion's glittering walls are near, 
 
 Tho' his eyes may with tears he dim, 
 Some rays from her gates his soul shall cheer, 
 
 And the swell of her choral hymn. 
 
 At length his tears are all wiped away, 
 
 He enters the City of Light ; 
 And how gladly he changes his gown of grey 
 
 For Zion's rohe of white ! 
 
 Then the dear and the blessed ones meet his gaze, 
 
 From whom time no more shall sever, 
 
 And he joins in their endless song of praise, 
 
 " Hallelujah !" for ever, and ever ! 
 
 A. Opie. 
 
 The faith that was in Abraham's heart, originated such doings 
 in the history of his life as declared plainly that he Bought a 
 country. And our faith is nothing, it is but the breath of an 
 empty profession, but the utterance of a worthless orthodoxy ; if it 
 be not followed up by such measures, and such movements, us 
 plainly declare that immortality is the goal to which we are tend- 
 ing; that the world is but the narrow foreground of that 
 perspective which is King at our feet; and, with the eye stretch- 
 ing forward to the magnificent region beyond it, that Ave are 
 actually keeping on the strait but single path which conducts to 
 tliis distant heaven, though set at every footstep with thorns, and 
 hemmed on the right and on the left with difficulties innumerable. 
 
 De. Chalmers. 
 
46 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Many years ago, when I was an object of much contempt and 
 derision in this university, I strolled forth one clay buffeted and 
 afflicted — with my little Testament in my hand. I prayed earnestly 
 to my God, that He would comfort me with some cordial from his 
 Word, and that on opening the book I might find some text which 
 should sustain me. It was not for direction that I Avas looking, for 
 I am no friend to such superstitions as the Sortes Virgiliance, but 
 only for support. I thought I would turn to the Epistles, where 
 I should most easily find some precious promise ; but my book was 
 upside down, so without intending it, I opened on the Gospels. 
 The first text which caught my eye was this, " They found a man 
 of Cyrene, Simon by name ; him they compelled to bear his cross." 
 You known Simon is the same name as Simeon. What a word of 
 instruction was here ; what a blessed hint for my encouragement ! 
 To have the cross laid upon me, that I might bear it after Jesus, 
 — what a privilege ! It was enough. Now I could leap and sing for 
 joy, as one whom Jesus was honoring with a participation in 
 His sufferings. * * * Relating this on another occasion, 
 Mr. Simeon added : — And when I read that, I said Lord, lay it on 
 me, lay it on me ; I will gladly bear the cross for thy sake. And I 
 henceforth bound persecution as a wreath of glory round my brow ! 
 
 Charles Simeon. 
 
How pensive is eve to my spirit, 
 
 How smilingly daylight departs, 
 
 The birds to their vespers are waking — 
 Their song is a concert of hearts. 
 
 The flowers are all silent around us — 
 No voice to the nowrets is given, 
 
 But still as they bend in devotion, 
 
 Their prayers are ascending to heaven. 
 
 Wherever around or above me 
 
 The gaze of my intellect turns, 
 
 With holy and high adoration 
 
 Each spark of intelligence burns. 
 
 The streamlet that shines like a mirror 
 
 Eeflects the cerulean dome, 
 And the hues that fair nature has pain tod 
 
 In grace and in majesty come. 
 
 All things that exult in their being 
 
 On wings of petition arise, 
 They ask for their hours of reposing, 
 
 The blessing that falls from the skies. 
 
4 ft ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 And all to my spirit are speaking, 
 They bid me their dictates obey: 
 
 As with silent example they whisper, 
 " Thou son of humanity, pray"! 
 
 S PITTA 
 
 FROM THE SAME. 
 
 How pensively the eve steals o'er us, 
 
 While day with winning smile, departs ; 
 And listen where that woodland chorus 
 
 Pours the full gush of gladsome hearts :- 
 The birds prolong 
 Their evening song 
 And strain like theirs its truth imparts : 
 
 The flowers are all unheard, attending — 
 
 No voice or speech to flowers is given, — 
 Yet, silent suppliants, see them bending 
 
 Their lowly forms beneath the heaven. 
 To earth they bow 
 Their faces now 
 Amid the tranquil hush of even. 
 
 Where'er I look, where'er I wander 
 
 T'is all devotion's sacred grace ; 
 
 See ! in the stream reflected yonder 
 
 The grand cerulean vault I trace : 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 49 
 
 The heavens of blue, 
 With colours true, 
 Are painted in that streamlet's face. 
 
 And all with loving souls are praying 
 
 For blessing on their hours of rest ; 
 And all things to my soul are saying, 
 
 In words with wisdom's signet pressed : — 
 " Thou child of clay ! 
 Arise and pray, 
 Prayer is thy being's high behest." 
 
 Spitta. 
 
 Let me take the lark for my pattern ; which, as I was returning 
 
 from an evening ramble, attracted my observation. Warbling her 
 Creator's praise, she mounted in the serene sky. Still she warbled, 
 and still she mounted, as though she meant to carry her tribute of 
 harmony unto the very gates of heaven. Having reached at last 
 her highest elevation, and perceiving herself at an immense distance 
 from the starry mansions, she dropped on a sudden to the earth ; 
 and discontinued at once both to sing and to soar. Now the 
 morning appears, and is awakening the world, our little songster 
 re-tunes her throat, and re-exerts her wings. 
 
 Hjervey. 
 
 From "A Proper new Bake of the Armony of Byrdes." 
 
 When Dame Flora 
 lit die Aurora, 
 Had covered the meadowes with flowers 
 And all the fylde, 
 Was over distylde 
 With lusty Aperll showers. 
 
 ii 
 
50 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 For my disporte. 
 Me to comforte 
 
 Whan the day began to spring 
 Foorth I went 
 With a good intent 
 
 To here the byrdes sing. 
 
 I was not past, 
 Not a stones cast 
 
 So nigh as I c'd deme, 
 
 But I did see a goodly tree, 
 
 Within an herbor grene. 
 
 Wheron did lyght, 
 Byrdes so thyche 
 As starres in the sky, 
 
 Praisynge our Lorde 
 Without discorde 
 With goodly armony. 
 
 DlBPF.N. 
 
 And then of mute and insensible things it holdeth true, that, 
 though they cannot hope, they at least wait a restoration. We 
 cannot ascribe to them, without an effort of poetry or of personifi- 
 cation, the posture of looking forward to that day of their coming 
 enlargement, when they shall be emancipated from the distress and 
 imprisonment in which they are now held. — But still when we 
 include them in the description of these verses, Rom. viii, we commit 
 no greater violence upon the literalities of sober and prosaical truth 
 than is done in other parts of Scripture — when all nature is 
 summoned to an act of attendance upon God — when the voice of 
 praise is heard by the ear of fancy as arising to heaven from the 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 51 
 
 mountains and the forests, and the valleys are made to sing, and 
 
 the little hills on every side to rejoice — when on the approach of 
 
 its Maker, the whole creation is represented as vocal — when the 
 
 fields are called upon to hreak forth into gladness, and the floods 
 
 to clap their hands. 
 
 Dr. Chalmers. 
 
 In contemplating the scenes of nature, where indeed there is 
 
 neither voice nor language, yet it is impossible not to observe how 
 
 the elements conspire to serve God, and to bless mankind. St. 
 
 Clement, in his epistle to the Corinthians, enlarges upon this 
 
 thought, to the following effect : — " the heavens declare the glory " 
 
 of their great Creator, uniformly performing their operations in 
 
 obedience to his decrees. At the word of the Almighty the sun 
 
 ariseth, and knoweth his going down. The heavenly bodies run 
 
 their appointed circuits in concert, and their motions clash not. 
 
 Day and night, spring and summer, autumn and winter, in peaceful 
 
 order give place to, and succeed each other. The earth, without 
 
 murmuring or disputing, yields her increase at the stated seasons. 
 
 "Winds blow, and waters roll, in subserviency to the will of Him who 
 
 made them ; the very waves of the ocean practise submission ; they 
 
 pass not the bounds prescribed them, but, under the regulation of 
 
 that powerful voice which said, " Hitherto shall ye come, but no 
 
 farther," they only serve to fill up the mighty chorus of inanimate 
 
 beings that are incessantly, in their way. rendering homage to the 
 
 Lord of nature. They continue this day according to his ordinance : 
 
 for all things serve him in their several places without let or 
 
 molestation. 
 
 Bishop Hobne. 
 
^ibkji| 
 
 " I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE, BRETHREN, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, THAT 
 YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD, 
 WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE." — ROM. XII. 1. 
 
 Day of the Lord ! thou to my soul 
 
 A sacred festival shalt be ; 
 And I will welcome thee with joy 
 
 Like the saints' first community : 
 Who once confessed 
 This day of rest 
 A truce for holy thought, and high solemnity. 
 
 From every vain thing far — 
 My thoughts to heaven shall fly ; 
 And plumed with joy, 
 Their powers employ, 
 When, oh my God ! with Thee 
 I keep this festal day of immortality. 
 
 With many a holy band, 
 Who on this day before Thy presence stand, 
 My soul shall join; 
 And we Thy name will praise ; 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 53 
 
 And I will raise 
 My votive heart and voice to speak Thy love : 
 Whilst still, oh Lord ! to Thee, 
 With angel company, 
 I'll sing a holier strain in yonder worlds ahove. 
 
 Within this calm abode, 
 Whose courts are perfnm'd with the name of God, 
 The gospel sound goes forth : 
 And here, oh Lord ! 
 I listen to the dictates of thy word, 
 Whilst softly sighs my soul to Thee 
 Touched by thy spirit's ministry. 
 Yes, Thou wilt teach me and console, 
 
 And in Thy precious love 
 My great Redeemer ! I'll rejoice ; 
 And all my powers shall move 
 With prostrate will, and bended knee. 
 Thou Saviour of the world to Thee ! 
 
 Thy holy scriptures, Lord ! 
 With tranquil mind to ponder, 
 This day my soul her high requirement finds — 
 Her cup of health : 
 I were a fool, Thou God of truth ! to squander 
 Thy wisdom's lore, my treasure and my wealth. 
 
54 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 No, rather with simplicity of heart 
 Father in heaven ! 
 Will I that page unrol 
 Which Thou hast given ! 
 And where Thy statutes shine in light and life, 
 There in the spirit of a child would I, 
 With thankful heart, and meek, my little lamp supply. 
 
 Ketiring now in stillness to thy home, 
 
 Thought's calm retreat, 
 Do thou, my spirit ! in devotion come 
 
 Thy God to meet : 
 There ask thyself what impulses of will 
 
 Thy being guide ; 
 Ask what disturbs, and what with joy can fill 
 
 Thy heart's full tide ; 
 And there thy works examine, weigh each deed ; 
 
 Prove thy life's aim ; 
 Be honest to thyself, and Jesus Christ, 
 As thy great pattern, all thy soul shall claim. 
 
 There, there thy sins forget not, sins perchance 
 
 Which unrepented lie ; 
 And there, in deep contrition, search them out 
 
 With careful eye ; 
 Till God shall look upon thee, and his voice 
 Shall bid thy self-abased soul rejoice : 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 55 
 
 There, tracing his compassions, thou shalt raise 
 From earth's low bed of dust, the thankful notes of praise. 
 
 Day of the Lord ! with blessings laden 
 
 Thou comest with sweetness to my heart ; 
 And now, Thou sun of light and glory ! 
 
 To me Thy quickening beams impart ; 
 So shall my being rise on wings to heaven. 
 Father ! I pray thee, bless 
 My soul's deep worship in its calm recess, 
 And, with the Spirit's fulness, make me full. 
 Then, oh my Saviour ! turn, and one pure ray, 
 Forth shining from Thy face, shall crown my Sabbath day. 
 Lavated. 
 
 That it is our bounden duty, by the regular attendance of public 
 worship, to confess our allegiance to the King of kings, admits of 
 no question. We are commanded in Scripture not to " forsake the 
 assembling of ourselves together ;" and in the zealous performance 
 of this great duty, we have a sure guide in the example of Jesus 
 Christ himself. How often do we read of his appearing in the 
 synagogues on the Sabbath days ; and how important is the infor- 
 mation given us by the evangelist, that this was his "custom." 
 Blessed be his holy name, he still condescends to bestow his 
 presence upon his disciples, when they are gathered together, for 
 the solemn purpose of worshipping the Father. He is for a cro^ o 
 of glory and for a diadem of beauty unto the residue of his people, 
 he brings them unto " the banqueting-house," and his "banner 
 
 over them is love." 
 
 J. J. Gueney. 
 
56 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 May every sabbath you shall spend upon earth, bring doAvn such 
 
 a glimpse of heaven's glory and heaven's blessedness upon your 
 
 habitations. No care; no poverty: no desolation, by the hand of 
 
 death upon your household ; no evil, saving remorse, < bat the world 
 
 can oppose, need to keep such precious visitations away from you. 
 
 But remember that it is only to those who keep tbe sayings of 
 
 the Saviour, that He has promised thus to manifest Himself; and 
 
 it is only after a pure and watchful and conscientious Aveek, that 
 
 you can ever expect its closing sabbath to be a season of rejoicing 
 
 piety, a day of peace and of pleasantness. 
 
 Dr. Chalmers. 
 
 First day, (Sunday) 17th. — My body recovering, though weak, 
 
 my spirit tendered before the Lord for His great and unspeakable 
 
 benefits, my naturally too-insensible heart softened before Him, 
 
 who I may say is the delight of my soul, my Lord and my God, 
 
 my Saviour and Redeemer. I remember those that are worshipping 
 
 as worshipping with them, and my spirit feels sweet unity with 
 
 the church militant, and perhaps, though utterly unworthy of it 
 
 with his church triumphant ; as if I could unite with both, in the 
 
 everlasting song of high praises, even to our God, and to his Lamb, 
 
 who hath shown such tender mercy towards us, and made Himself 
 
 manifest to us as our Saviour and Redeemer. Blessed for ever be 
 
 His name. 
 
 Elizabeth Fry. 
 
 Fear God; shew it in desire, refraining, and doing; keep the 
 inward watch, keep a clear soul, and a light heart. Mind an inward 
 sense upon doing anything. When you read the scripture, remark 
 the notablest places, as your spirits are most touched and affected, 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 57 
 
 in a common-place book, with that sense or opening which you 
 receive ; for they come not by study, or in the will of man, and they 
 may be lost by carelessness and over-growing thoughts and busi- 
 ness of this life : so in perusing any other good or profitable book, 
 yet rather meditate than read much. 
 
 Wm. Penn. 
 
 OF THE INCOMPARABLE TREASURE OF THE 
 HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 
 Here is the spring where waters flowe 
 To quench our heate of sinne ; 
 
 Here is the tree where trueth doeth growe 
 To lead our lives therein. 
 
 Llere is the judge that stints the strife 
 
 When men's devises faile ; 
 Here is the bread that feedes the life 
 
 That death cannot assaile. 
 
 The tidings of salvation deare 
 Comes to our eares from hence ; 
 
 The fortresse of our faith is here 
 And shielde of our defence. 
 
 Then be not like the hogge that hath 
 
 A pearle at his desire, 
 And takes more pleasure of the trough 
 
 And wallowing in the mire. 
 
 Reade not this booke in any case 
 
 But with a single eye : 
 Reade not, but first desire God's grace 
 
 To understand thereby. 
 
58 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Pray still in faith with this respect 
 
 To fructifie therein, 
 That knowledge may bring this effect 
 
 To mortifie thy sinne. 
 
 Then happie thou in all thy life 
 
 What so to thee hefalles : 
 Yea, double happie shalt thou be 
 
 When God by death thee calles. 
 
 Geneva Version, 1595. 
 
 Consider the infinite wonders of the Holy Scriptures, the more 
 
 than human grandeur and sublimity of their contents, and the 
 
 admirable simplicity of their style ; in which there is nothing of 
 
 affectation, nothing over- wrought, and which bears the clearest and 
 
 most undeniable character of truth. 
 
 Pascal. 
 
 Christian reader. Here hast thou, most dear reader, the New 
 
 Testament, or covenants made with us of God, in Christ's blood. 
 
 Faith now, in God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 
 according to the covenants and appointments made between God 
 
 and us, is our salvation. 
 
 Wm. Tyndai.e. 
 
Oh ! could I speak the power 
 
 To holy prophets given, 
 Whose breast's were quickened by a name, 
 A light from Heaven ! 
 When themes of pure and hallowed birth, 
 They sounded through the realms of earth : 
 For this to God enthroned on high, 
 Be honour, praise and majesty ! 
 
 They steered the troubled state 
 
 Where mingling currents flowed, 
 And by their counsels eased the weight 
 
 Of many a galling load ; 
 They published with their voice, 
 
 That future advent morn. 
 When the Eternal Father's Son 
 Should here be born, 
 And wash us from pollution free. 
 In His redeeming blood poured out on Calvary. 
 They taught that all our prayers ascend 
 
 Through Jesus' name alone ; 
 That led by Him, our spirits bow 
 Before the Father's throne ; 
 Their censures bridled tyrant sway. 
 And made untutored crowds each high behesl obey. 
 
 Ml LANCTHON. 
 
When Jason to his fatherland, 
 
 Had borne the golden fleece away, 
 Expecting when his regal hand 
 
 Should rule the realms that owned his sway 
 That sheltering ark, 
 His favourite bark, 
 Then laid her lordly chieftain low ; — 
 Her timber falls — 
 Beneath her walls 
 Her pilot-prince receives the blow : 
 Exhausted now r , his powers decline, 
 In sight of home and household shrine. 
 
 Unlike this royal chieftain, Lord ! 
 Thine Argo ne'er shall do Thee wrong, 
 
 Or pierce thine heart 
 
 With cruel smart, 
 Although her riven side with earth's convulsions part. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 61 
 
 When proud Orion wakes the watery deep, 
 And heaven's battalions their dread station keep 
 
 With thundering awe, 
 See, borne upon the billows, tempest driven, 
 
 Thy vessel ride ! 
 When lo ! extended forth, a hand from heaven 
 
 The storm to chide, — 
 Thy own right hand of mercy ! moored by thee, 
 In safety rides thy blessed company ; 
 For thou their sacred anchor shalt abide, 
 Thy seamen's trust amid the 'whelming tide. 
 
 Oh light of the Eternal, blessed Lord, 
 
 God over all, 
 And image of the Father ! Thou wilt save 
 
 The souls that on thee call, — 
 Those who embrace thy oracles, and love 
 
 Thy holy Word ; 
 Thou wilt defend and keep them, and by Thee, 
 Oh Christ ! their prayer is heard. 
 
 Melancthon. 
 
 T'was when the seas with hideous roar 
 
 A little bark assailed, 
 And potent fear with awful power 
 O'er each on board prevailed :— 
 
62 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Save one, the captain's darling child 
 Who fearless view'd the storm, 
 
 And playful, with composure smiled 
 At danger's threatening form. 
 
 " Why sporting thus," a seaman cries, 
 " When sorrows overwhelm ? " 
 
 " Why yield to grief? " the hoy replies, 
 "My Father's at the helm ! " 
 
 We know not whither our frail barks are borne, 
 To quiet haven, or on stormy shore, 
 Nor need we seek to know it, while above 
 The tempest, and the waters angriest roar, 
 Are heard the voices of redeeming love ; 
 So shall we find none dreary or forlorn. 
 Whither Ave go we know not, but we know 
 That if we keep our faces surely set 
 Toward new Zion, we shall reach at last 
 When every danger, every woe is past, 
 The city where the sealed tribes are met, 
 Whither the saved of the nations flow ; 
 The city with its heaven-descended halls, 
 The city builded round with diamond walls. 
 
 R. C. Tkench. 
 
feiicl).03i. 
 
 Ut tua pertingat, penetretque precatio caelum 
 Corde sit ex pure-, sit brevis atque frequens. 
 
 Thy prayer, to reach and penetrate the skies, 
 Frequent and few in words, from a pure heart should rise. 
 
 Wouldst thou thy wishes heaven should reach, and find 
 
 sweet welcome there, 
 
 Let a pure heart the language teach of brief and frequent 
 
 prayer. 
 
 J. E. 
 
imimk& muh&m. 
 
 vEterni de mente patris sapientia nata, 
 
 In qua Mundi operum fulsit idea novi 
 Et quae distinxit pulcherrima corpora rerum, 
 
 Et jussit formas singula habere suas. 
 Hsec eadem in parvis vagit sapientia cunis, 
 
 Naturae nostras membra tenella gerens. 
 Sic quanquam infundit se nostra in pectora, nobis 
 
 Nondum se totam cernere posse dedit. 
 Ut tamen in nobis sint tantse exordia lucis, 
 
 Tanquam vagitus, dogmata prima sonat. 
 Non spernis quanquam infirmos, si debita credant 
 
 Te Avrpa pro nobis Christe dedisse patri. 
 Ah precor infirmis adsis ut mentibus, atque 
 
 Doctrinse foveas semina sparsa tuse, 
 Dum tua se totam pandet sapientia nobis, 
 
 Atque Patrem clara luce videre dabit. 
 Quando mortali solventur carcere mentes, 
 
 Et Duce te, cceli culmina celsa petent, 
 Christe, tuo exulibus patriam tu sanguine reddis ; 
 
 Nulla venit nobis Te nisi dante salus. 
 
 Melancthon. 
 
jUjs ftrable-Jtrg sf 1% fo 
 
 That Wisdom, whose birth-place was the mind of the 
 Eternal Father, and through which shone out the con- 
 ception of a world new and full of workmanship ; that 
 Wisdom which called out the beautiful forms of things, 
 and which appointed to each its proper character ; that 
 same Wisdom puts forth its voice in a puny cradle, and 
 sustains the feeble members of our nature ; and 
 although she infuses herself into our inmost being, she 
 yet withholds from us the full manifestation of herself. 
 Illuminated as we are by the dawnings of so great light, 
 and instructed by her cradle-cry, which be the first prin- 
 ciples of pure doctrine, yet, Thou, oh Christ ! wilt not 
 contemn us, Thy weak children, if we believe that Thou 
 hast given thyself to the Father a ransom for us, and 
 discharged our debt. Oh ! let us supplicate of Thee, 
 that Thou wilt be present with our faltering minds, and 
 that Thou wilt cherish the scattered seed of Thy faith ; 
 whilst Thy own wisdom shall unfold itself to us, and 
 give us in clear light to behold the Father. And when 
 these mortal intelligences shall burst their prison-houses, 
 and, Thou being our Leader, shall seek the glorious 
 heights of heaven, then shalt Thou restore a country to 
 Thy exiled ones, through the merit of Thy own blood ; 
 for out of Thee, Christ, is no salvation. 
 
 K 
 
FROM THE SAME. 
 
 That Wisdom which of loftiest birth, 
 
 Forth from the Father's bosom came, 
 
 From which shone out this new-born earth 
 With all her grand ideal frame : 
 
 And singled out each living grace 
 
 Embodied in the truth of things ; 
 
 And gave them, wearing beauty's face, 
 Their own appointed fashionings : 
 
 That self-same Wisdom weeping lies 
 
 Low in an earthly cradle-bed, 
 And stoops to wear a mortal guise, 
 
 In our poor nature tenanted. 
 
 Thus though she pours her spirit forth 
 In soft suffusion through our frame, 
 
 She deigns not to unveil on earth 
 
 The mighty mystery of her name. 
 
 Yet whilst within us brightly beam 
 The dawnings of a light so fair, 
 
 'Tis like the cradle-cry, I deem, 
 
 Which tells what truth's first lispings are. 
 
 And Jesus, Thou wilt not upbraid 
 
 Thy weak ones, who behold in Thee 
 
 A ransom to Thy Father paid. — 
 
 Paid for our debt, to set us free. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 To these weak minds then, come O Lord ! 
 
 And cherish by a smile of Thine 
 The scattered seed-germs of thy word, 
 
 And Thy theology divine. 
 
 Thus shall Thy wisdom's self unfold 
 
 To hearts like ours her saving grace, 
 
 And give our spirits to behold 
 
 In lustrous light, the Father's face. 
 
 "When from this prison-house set free 
 
 And all earth's bonds of being riven, 
 
 These souls of ours convoyed by Thee, 
 
 Mount upward to the heights of heaven ; 
 
 Then to thy exiled ones, thy own, 
 
 Their Fatherland shalt thou restore — 
 
 Bought by thy blood, for Thou alone 
 Oh Christ ! wilt save us evermore. 
 
 Melaxcthon. 
 

 To this repast, which is thy gift, oh Christ ! grant Thy 
 Messing, that at Thy command it may cherish our weary 
 hodies. Bread alone cannot give life to our fragile hodies, 
 hut Thy word has power to give a lengthened period to 
 
 our existence. 
 
 Melancthon. 
 
 bvUx lira! 
 
 Now that our hunger is banished by food, and our table 
 crowned, we give Thee thanks, Great Father ! 
 
 These viands will afford no succour to our animal 
 strength unless they are cherished by divine agency ; for 
 all things live as they are operated on by Thy power, 
 and inspired by Thee all things breathe and are in health. 
 
 Now also do Thou minister bread to our thankful 
 hearts, and feed our spirits with immortal food : and as 
 we are the creatures of Thy care, oh Holy Father ! do 
 Thou preserve us. and regulate and guide all our studies 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 60 
 
 and all the seasons of our lives ; and when, oh Gracious 
 
 Father, Thou givest us the bread which perisheth, do 
 
 Thou add strength therewith, for Thy mercy's sake. 
 
 Amen. 
 
 Melancthon. 
 
 His converse at his table was very profitable, and yet pleasant ; 
 never rising, either at home or abroad, •without dropping something 
 of God, according to the rule he laid down to others. He was very 
 much in commending and admiring the mercies of God in every 
 meal, and still so pleased with his provision for him, that he would 
 often say, he fared deliriously every day, and lived far better than 
 the great ones of the world, who had their tables far better fur- 
 nished. For he enjoyed God in all, and saw his love and bounty 
 in what he received at every meal : so that he would say, wife ! 
 I live a voluptuous life, but blessed be God, it is upon spiritual 
 dainties, such as the world knows not, and tastes not of. 
 
 Life of Josei>h Alleine. 
 
;OT0 Xr:f §': 
 
 The song of songs, which is Solomon's."— Can-j 
 
 "A song of songs" there is, 
 
 Which when thou once hast known, 
 
 'Tis then thy soul's superior hliss 
 To make that song thy own, 
 
 And in a soft and gladsome strain 
 
 To sing it o'er and o'er again. 
 
 No faltering voice of man 
 
 First gave its music forth ; 
 That song so rich in winning charms 
 
 Never knew mortal hirth ; — 
 Those strains so teaching, deep and strong, 
 Have chords that all to heaven helong : 
 
 It celebrates a love 
 
 Before whose melting ray, 
 Like mists in presence of the sun, 
 
 Life's shadows flee away ; 
 The griefs and woes of earth depart 
 When this ecstatic song springs upward from the heart. 
 
 Spitta. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY, 71 
 
 This book appears to be a very bright and powerful ray of hea- 
 venly light, admirably fitted to excite pious and devout affections 
 in holy souls, to draw out their desires toward God, to increase 
 their delight in him, and improve their acquaintance and commu- 
 nion with him. * * * It requires some pains to find out what 
 may, probably, be the meaning of the Holy Spirit in the several 
 parts of this book : as David's songs are many of them level to the 
 capacity of the meanest, and there are shallows in them, in which 
 a lamb may wade, so this of Solomon's will exercise the capacities 
 of the most learned, and there are depths in it, in which an 
 
 elephant may swim. 
 
 Matthew Henry, 
 
 When we were enumerating the excellencies of the sacred 
 writings, methinks we might have added ; — are you fond of pastoral 
 in all its flowery graces, and blooming honours ? Never have we 
 seen such exquisite touches of rural painting, or such sweet images 
 of endeared affection, as in the " Song of Songs, which is Solomon's." 
 All the brilliant and amiable appearances in nature are employed 
 to delineate the tenderness of his heart, who is love itself; to 
 pourtray the beauty of his person, who is " the chiefest among ten 
 thousand ;" and describe the happiness of those souls, whose 
 " fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 
 
 Hebvey. 
 
Hielfr.' 
 
 "and why take ye thought for raiment ? consider the lilies 
 the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. 
 Matthew vi. 28. 
 
 Thou beauteous lily of the field, 
 Thou child to nature dear, 
 
 Oh ! tell me who has decked thy form 
 In hues so bright and clear ; 
 
 Who thus has given thee to my sight 
 
 Attired in robes of purest white ? 
 
 And tell me, wherefore art thou clad 
 
 So goodly in array, 
 With spangles wrought of richest gold 
 
 That glitter to the day ? 
 King Solomon in glory drest 
 Was not arrayed in such a vest. 
 
 God raised thee from the dust of earth, 
 God loves thee, gentle flower ; 
 
 Whilst in the silent watch of night 
 When darkness holds her power, 
 
 An angel-form to thee he sends 
 
 Whose hand a fostering succour lends. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 He bathes thy mantle in the dew. 
 
 And dries it in the wind, 
 And bleaches it w T hen summer suns 
 
 Are genial warm and kind ; 
 And on thy youthful brow is set 
 Thy springtide's shining coronet. 
 
 Thou beauteous lily of the field, 
 
 In all thy honours drest, 
 Thy form of finished loveliness. 
 
 Thy fair and polished vest ; 
 Methinks, sweet flower, thy lips impart 
 Wisdom's deep counsels to the heart. 
 
 Thou lovely lily of the held, 
 
 Celestial truth is thine, 
 And gems of purity and grace 
 
 Within thy petals shine ; 
 Kesplendent is each starry gem 
 In truth and nature's diadem. 
 
 Yes, thou hast learned with tutored mind, 
 
 The art of thinking well, 
 And He, the Lord of earth and heaven, 
 
 Preserves his flow'ret-bell ; 
 He shelters with His guardian care 
 Thy tender stem, thy blossoms fail-. 
 
 S PITT a. 
 
 L 
 
74 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Even the lilies of the field, which are incapable of adorning 
 themselves, are far more beautifully decorated than Solomon, or 
 any earthly monarch, in his royal robes. And has the Lord, with 
 such perfection, adorned the very vegetables, that will so soon be 
 cut down, withered, dried up, or burned ; and will he not suitably 
 clothe the Christian ? Or should he be desirous of such adornings, 
 as are surpassed by the flowers of the field ? This must arise from 
 weakness of faith, respecting the truths and promises of God, 
 which will expose a man to just rebukes. Solicitous and distrustful 
 enquiries about temporal things may consist with the character of 
 those who know not God ; who consequently must count the world 
 their portion ; and who rely on their own foresight for obtaining 
 the good things of it : but Christians have a nobler portion and a 
 better provider. " Their Father knoweth what they want;" and 
 he has sufficient power, truth, goodness, and love to them, to send 
 what is best for them ; their anxiety is then entirely superfluous. 
 
 Scott. 
 
 Sure, Lord, there is enough in thee to dry 
 Oceans of ink ; for as the deluge did 
 
 Cover the earth, so doth thy majesty ; 
 
 Each cloud distils thy praise, and doth forbid 
 
 Poets to turn it to another use : 
 Eoses and lilies speak thee. 
 
 Herbert. 
 
" He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool : but whoso wai.keth 
 wisely, he shall be delivered." — prov. xxviii. 26. 
 
 Salvation is a boon, 
 
 A heritage that's given 
 To every child of Adam's race 
 That lives beneath the heaven ; 
 Then, hand in hand, 
 Our peaceful band 
 Shall seek the one eternal land. 
 
 Sweet harmony of soul 
 Sustains our spirit's power, 
 As pilgrims here on earth we roam 
 In the world's conflict hour ; 
 Join heart with heart, 
 And half the smart 
 Of earthly sorrows shall depart. 
 
 Then let us most desire 
 Our gracious Lord to please ; 
 And he shall chase our household foes, 
 And give us sweel release : 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Then envy Hies, 
 And discord dies 
 With all the train of our heart's miseries. 
 
 Spitta. 
 
 " Be of one mind." The apostle in this verse, taking leave of his 
 Corinthians, bequeaths to them the same legacy which the blessed 
 Jesus bequeathed to all his followers ; — " Peace I leave with you," 
 said the Master ; " my peace I give unto you." " Finally brethren" 
 says this his faithful disciple, "be of one mind, live in peace, and the 
 God of love and peace shall be with you :" such are the conditions, 
 upon the performance of which, we may hope for the presence of 
 God in the midst of us. He who "maketh men to be of one mind 
 in a house," delighteth to dwell in the house where they are so. 
 The spirit of discord resides in the world, — that scene of confusion, 
 that mystic Babel.' Jerusalem is a city at unity in itself, and is 
 therefore the habitation of the Prince of Peace. 
 
 Man is reconciled to God by the righteousness of Christ, through 
 faith ; to himself, by the answer of a conscience thus purged from 
 sin ; and to his brethren, by christian charity shed abroad in his 
 heart. 
 
 All these operations worketh one and the same spirit ; whence 
 the unity, of which we are now speaking, is styled " the unity of 
 the spirit," which is represented as encircling all things in heaven 
 and earth with a bond of peace. Brsnop Horne. 
 
 The saints in prayer appear as one, 
 
 In word, and deed, and mind, 
 'When with the Father and his Son, 
 
 Sweet fellowship they find. 
 
 James Montgomery. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. ti 
 
 Men ought to take heed of rending God's church by two kind 
 of controversies : the one is, when the matter of the point contro- 
 verted is too small and light, not worth the heat and strife about it, 
 kindled only by contradiction ; for as it is noted by one of the fathers, 
 Christ's coat indeed had no seam, but the church's vesture was of 
 divers colours, whereupon he saith, " in vesta varietas sit, scissura 
 non sit," they be two things, unity and uniformity ; the other is 
 when the matter of the point controverted is great, but it is driven 
 to an over-great subtlety and obscurity, so that it becometh a thing 
 rather ingenious than substantial. 
 
 Lord Bacon. 
 
 They which are all of one mind, whatsoever the number of their 
 persons be, are in reference to that mind, but one; as all the 
 members, howsoever different, yet being animated by one soul, 
 become one body. Charity is of a fastening and uniting nature; 
 nor can we call those many, who endeavour " to keep the unity of 
 the spirit in the bond of peace." "By this," said our Saviour. 
 '• shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one 
 to another." And this is the unity of charity. 
 
 Bishop Pearson. 
 
puri Jj Him |^im:e. 
 
 "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your 
 body, and in your spirit, which are god's." — 1. cor. vi. 20. 
 
 Give what thou wilt oh Lord ! my grateful heart 
 
 The boon receives : 
 Take what Thou wilt ! my soul obedient back, 
 
 Her treasure gives : 
 Only with thee I would for ever dwell. 
 Let me thy ways pursue, oh God ! and all is well. 
 
 Sweetly the gracious current of thy will 
 
 My being guides, 
 And there with hallowing empire, calm and still 
 
 O'er all presides : 
 Led by thy hand my steadfast course shall be ; 
 Let me begin and end my pilgrim path with thee. 
 
 Leaning upon myself, and not on thee, 
 
 I were a fool ; 
 Then I should stumble oft, and wander free 
 
 From thy sweet rule : 
 Self-chosen paths are profitless and vain, 
 There no salvation smiles, there no full blessings reign. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 79 
 
 For me, my Saviour, God ! with tenderest care 
 
 Thy love hath planned : 
 Oft have I found Thee, all unsought in prayer, 
 
 Beside me stand. 
 Oh ! if thou hadst not made my soul thine own, 
 Ne'er had I turned to seek thy mercy's throne. 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
 Was enabled in secret prayer to raise my soul to God with desire 
 and delight. It was indeed a blessed season to my soul : I found 
 the comfort of being a christian ; I counted the sufferings of the 
 present life not worthy to be compared with the glory of divine 
 enjo) T ments, even in this world. All my past sorrows seemed kindly 
 to disappear, and I remembered no more the sorrow for joy. I 
 felt exceeding serious, calm, and peaceful, and encouraged to press 
 after holiness as long as I live, whatever difficulties and trials may 
 be in my way ; may the Lord always help me so to do. Amen, and 
 Amen. Braixerd. 
 
 Paul saith that, the love of a pure heart and good conscience 
 
 and faith unfeigned — is the end and fulfilling of the law : for faith 
 
 unfeigned in Christ's blood, causeth to love for Christ's sake — which 
 
 love is the pure love only, and the only cause for good conscience ; 
 
 for then is the conscience pure when the eye looketh to Christ 
 
 in all deeds, to do them for his sake — not for our own singular 
 
 advantage. 
 
 Tyndale. 
 
80 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Nous n'avons pas <T idee de ce que nous pourrions faire si nous 
 etions completement perdus dans cet accord complet avec Dieu, si 
 nous ne cherchions pas d'autre volonte que la sienne, si nous 
 n'avions pas une parole de notre bouche, pas un battement de notre 
 cceur, pas une pensee de notre intelligence, pas un mouvement 
 de notre esprit ou de notre corps qui ne fut tourne vers lui pour 
 l'attendre dans l'esprit de Samuel, " Parle, Seigneur, ton serviteur 
 ecoute." Quelques bommes ont montre ce qu' un bomme peut 
 faire : un Lutber, un Calvin, un Saint Paul, un Moise ; ces hom- 
 mes-la ont montre ce qu' un homme peut faire quand il ne cbercbe 
 que la volonte de Dieu. Adolphe Monod. 
 
 Spend no time anxiously in foreband contrivances for this 
 world ; tbey will never succeed ; God will turn his dispensations 
 anotber way. Self-contrivances are the effect of unbebef. I can 
 speak by experience ; would men spend those hours they run out 
 in plots and in contrivances, in communion with God, and leave all 
 to Him by bebeving, they would have more peace and comfort. 
 
 " The Sun behind a Cloud." 
 
 Besides the encouragements and assurances given in the Scrip- 
 tures to prayer, my own experience will stand a terrible witness 
 against me, if I should ever cease to pray. I cannot allow myself 
 to put down remarkable answers, which I have had to prayer, lest 
 I should stumble the weak, or provoke the scornful. I know not 
 when I ever prayed in earnest, that in one way or other, I had not 
 satisfactory evidence that God heareth prayer. Ten thousand 
 times hath he reproached unbelief, by saying, Here I am, why art 
 thou fearful, thou of Httle faith ? And so strong is this evidence 
 to me when I examine the detail, that I see and feel that he said 
 it not in vain, " If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, 
 ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." 
 
 Richard Cecil. 
 
ale wkmfo 0f «&. 
 
 Thou word of Life, unsullied spring ! 
 
 Fresh from the courts of heaven ; — 
 By thee to every drooping soul 
 
 Immortal strength is given. 
 As to the flower that withering bends 
 
 Beneath the noontide beam, 
 And mid the thirsty desert waste, 
 
 Stoops to the freshening stream ; 
 So to our spirit-wilderness 
 
 Thy affluent waters seem. 
 
 Without thy presence to our souls 
 
 Oh what can earth supply ? 
 'Tis but a pathway through a vale 
 
 Where darkening shadows lie : 
 Without thee, what were heaven above. 
 
 Could such discordance be ? 
 'Twere like the hall of joy, locked lip 
 
 Beneath a mystic key. 
 
 M 
 
8^ ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Apart from thee, thou quickening Word. 
 
 Oh what can life bestow ? 
 'Tis but an ever-present death, 
 
 A dark deceitful shew : 
 Without thee what is death ? — grey night 
 
 Untinged by morning's glow. 
 
 From thee with gladdening pulse we draw 
 
 Warmth genial and divine ; 
 From thee the beams of holy light 
 
 With full refulgence shine ; 
 By thee with wonder-working power 
 
 The veil of sense is riven, 
 Thou canst disclose the gates of hell, 
 
 And thou canst open heaven. 
 In thunders to the sinner's ear 
 
 Thy voice of awe goes forth, 
 To rouse him from his slothful rest 
 
 Amid the clods of earth. 
 
 Before that God who sits as judge 
 
 With balance right and true 
 Thou bid'st us tremble, whilst he gives 
 
 To each the judgment due. 
 Thou bid'st us love with filial heart 
 
 That Father kind and good, 
 Who bears in His long-suffering grace 
 
 With mortal turpitude. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 83 
 
 That God who as an offering gave 
 
 His own beloved Son, 
 That He might pay the penalty 
 
 For trespass man had done, 
 And who will thus the sinner take 
 Home to his love for Jesu's sake. 
 
 Thou word of Life ! — to him whose ear 
 
 The blessed truth receives, 
 Salvation's endless heritage 
 
 Thy faithful promise gives ; 
 For he alone whose heart has learned 
 
 Thy sacred worth to prize, 
 Shall in secure possession hold 
 
 This jewel of the skies. 
 
 Then will I gird thee to my side, 
 
 Oh thou the spirit's sword, 
 Help me to tight the fight of faith 
 
 God's ever blessed word ! 
 Thus shall I gain in realms on high 
 
 The fadeless crown of victory ! 
 
 SriTTA. 
 
 And being now made by Him the children of God, may we sbine 
 witb a bright, steady flame, as lights in the world, and hold out for 
 the benefit of all around us, the word of life, as the gospel which 
 redeems us from the second death, and raises us to eternal life, may 
 properly be called. 
 
84 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 May we spread its lustre through as wide a circle as possible, and 
 with it, that happiness which nothing but a cordial belief of it, and 
 subjection to it can bring to the human heart. 
 
 And brandish in your hands the sword of the spirit, which is the 
 word of God, those declarations of His word and gospel which His 
 spirit has inspired, and by a firm confidence in which you will be 
 able not only to defend yourselves, but to repel your adversaries. 
 Dr. Doddridge. 
 
 Return, holy dove ! return, 
 
 Sweet messenger of rest ; 
 I hate the sins that made Thee mourn, 
 
 And drove Thee from my breast. 
 
 The dearest idol I have known, 
 
 Whate'er that Idol be, 
 Help me to tear it from thy throne, 
 
 And worship only Thee. 
 
 So shall my walk be close with God, 
 
 Calm and serene my frame ; 
 So purer light shall mark the road 
 
 That leads me to the Lamb. 
 
 COWPEE. 
 
 At anchor laid, remote from home, 
 Toiling, I cry, " Sweet Spirit come ! 
 Celestial breeze no longer stay, 
 But swell my sails, and speed my way. 
 
 Fain would I mount, fain would I glow, 
 
 And loose my cable from below : 
 
 But I can only spread my sail ; 
 
 Thou, Thou must breath the auspicious gale." 
 
 TOPLADY. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 85 
 
 let us entreat the Lord again " to send a plentiful rain, to 
 confirm his inheritance when it is weary." The scriptures predict 
 a day when the Holy Spirit shall he given in a very abundant 
 manner. Thus it is written in the prophets, Joel ii. 28, 29, Isaiah 
 xliv. 2, Zechariah xiv. 8, and Ezekiel xxxvii. and xlvii. In all these 
 passages of scripture, expressions are used which give promise to 
 a very large effusion of divine influence. " I will pour my spirit 
 upon all flesh," upon every age and station ; upon their sons and 
 their daughters ; the old men and the youth ; the servants and the 
 handmaids. " I will pour floods upon the dry ground ;" not sending 
 this living water in a scanty measure, hut like the bursting forth of 
 the mountain torrents which spread on every side. " In summer 
 and in winter shall it be " a continued supply, not affected by the 
 heat of summer or the cold of winter. " The breath came into them, 
 and they lived and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army "; 
 not a few scattered converts, but a vast multitude, like the eastern 
 
 armies. 
 
 J. H. Stewart. 
 
 I was thinking this morning, amidst all my business, my many 
 
 engagements, my numerous cares, and the little time I have for 
 
 reflection and quiet ; what I should do if my dependance Mas not 
 
 placed upon the Eternal word of life? which is with me in every 
 
 place. I could not but feel this an invaluable gift. I think it 
 
 a blessing to feel the operative power of this word of life, and 
 
 through abundant mercy, it leads me at seasons, sometimes at 
 
 very low seasons, to feel it my meat and my drink to do the 
 
 will of my Heavenly Father. 
 
 Elizabeth Fby. 
 
86 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 " He that followeth Me shall have the light of life." Be it 
 our's brethren, to make this glorious promise our own. For 
 to have the light of life, what is it? It is to he in fellowship 
 with Him who is at once the light and life of men ; and in this 
 fellowship to become more and more a child of light, for whom 
 the darkness is now past ; the darkness of a selfish, the darkness 
 of a proud, the darkness of an unholy heart, and for whom the true 
 light now shineth. That light thou mayest make, if thou wilt, 
 more and more thine own, mayest clothe thyself with it, till it 
 be to thee armour of light, at once a sun and a shield, a glory 
 and a defence. Arrayed in this, thou mayest pass unharmed 
 through all temptations of this world, till thou, being brought at 
 length into a meetness for the inheritance of the saints, in light 
 shalt stand, all unawares it may be, within the gates of that hea- 
 venly city, which needeth neither sun nor moon, " for the glory 
 of the Lord doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." 
 
 K. C. Trench. 
 
 Now these are called here the groanings of the Spirit of God, 
 because it is in fact He who hath awakened them in the spirit of 
 man. When he intercedes for a believer, the believer's own heart 
 is the channel through which the intercession finds its way to the 
 throne of grace. It is not that there is any want either of light 
 or of utterance about Him ; but He doeth his work gradually upon 
 us, and often infuses a desirousness into our hearts before He 
 reveals the truth with distinctness unto our understandings. He 
 walketh by progressive footsteps, in accomplishing the creation of 
 a new moral world — even as He did when employed in the creation 
 of our present system of materialism. He then moved upon the 
 face of the waters, before He said, let there be light, and there was 
 light. Dr. Chalmers. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 8/ 
 
 The doctrine of redundant and illimitable pardons, constitute the 
 glory, and seals the Divinity of the glad tidings ; of that gospel, 
 which the Irish version of Scripture (we are told) emphatically 
 entitles — " The story of peace." It did so even to believers of 
 patriarchal times ; much more in these last days when God hath 
 spoken by his Son, — when the " story of peace," the doctrine of 
 boundless pardon, is more fully developed, and still more strongly 
 ratified. That doctrine pours into the mind, if strengthened to 
 receive it with cordial and animated faith, a beam at once convict- 
 ing, purifying, and healing ; which, while it enlightens each secret 
 chamber of imagery, pierces also and scatters each defilement, and 
 effaces each record of condemnation there ; bringing out more 
 visibly, but to cancel as potently, the stains of guilt, and the sen- 
 tences of ruin ; shining in the heart to display the dreadful strength 
 and complexity of its self-riveted chains, and to melt them in the 
 glow and splendour of a Divine Redemption. 
 
 John Sheppard. 
 
" For ekquiee, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself 
 
 TO THE SEARCH OF THEIR FATHERS I " (" FOR WE ARE BUT OF YESTERDAY, AND 
 KNOW NOTHING, BECAUSE OFR DAYS UPON EARTH ARE A SHADOW:") "SHALL 
 NOT THEY TEACH THEE, AND TELL THEE, AND UTTER WORDS OUT OF THEIR 
 
 heart'?" — Job viii. 8. 9. 10. 
 
 "to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, 
 and the giving of the law, and the service of god, and the promises \" 
 ''Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ 
 came, who is over all, god blessed for ever. amen." — eom. ix. 4. 5. 
 
 Spirit of strength and faith, 
 
 Life of the lowly soul, 
 Of meek obedience, and of powers 
 
 That move in sweet control : 
 Creator Thou of all 
 
 The works which God hath wrought, 
 By whom to us, the fruits of heaven 
 
 Are richly brought : 
 Thou spirit that didst once inspire 
 
 Prophets and Kings, a goodly band, 
 And kindled'st with celestial fire 
 
 The messengers of God's right hand ;- 
 Thou wast their strength, their impulse high, 
 And witness of their ministry. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 89 
 
 Oh clothe us, children of the dust, 
 
 With gifts divine ; 
 That might and courage-hreathing faith 
 
 In us may shine, 
 With zeal for God's own house 
 
 And grace to say, 
 " We fight the fight of faith- 
 Earth, with thy toys, away!" 
 
 Grant us the assured belief 
 Which Abraham knew, 
 That holy confidence of faith 
 With purpose true, 
 Which bears with conquering power away 
 Through all the doubts that cloud our d*iy : 
 That whilst the covenant of grace 
 Our hearts confess, 
 Eeceiving with a trustful joy 
 Its righteousness, 
 Still at God's footstool would lay down 
 Each hour, its best beloved one. 
 
 And when a false, delusive world 
 
 Its net would lay. 
 And with its threatenings and its lures 
 Would lead astray, 
 Then grant us Joseph's holy mind 
 With saintly fortitude combined. 
 
90 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Pour down the unction which of old 
 
 On Moses fell, 
 When God's long-suffering grace he asked 
 For Israel ; 
 And for our Church in evil days 
 May we our intercessions raise. 
 Nor let us see with cold regard 
 Their doom of woe, 
 But, touched with Moses' hallowed grief 
 Our tears shall flow 
 With sighs, with loud lament and ruth 
 For those who leave the paths of truth. 
 
 Grant us the spirit of the brave 
 
 That did inspire 
 King David, when on Judah's foes 
 
 He poured his ire ; 
 His trust in Christ his rock 
 
 When tempests rose, 
 His truth to Friendship's sacred name, 
 
 His love of foes ; 
 His contrite heart that wept for sin 
 And sought God's pardoning grace to win. 
 
 As once Elijah's breast 
 
 With indignation glowed, 
 With holy wrath and jealousy 
 
 For Israel's God ; 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 91 
 
 So now let kindling zeal 
 
 Within us move, 
 When Superstition's blinded throng 
 In error rove, — 
 Nor to their gods with head or knee 
 Bow down, but only Lord, to thee. 
 
 With souls of saintly dress, 
 
 Thy great apostle band 
 Who as the witnesses of grace 
 
 Unbending stand, 
 Give us in mockery and in shame 
 
 To publish forth 
 To all the world, that Jesus' blood 
 
 Has precious worth ; 
 And oh we pray Thee grant 
 
 That we the truth may know, 
 The truth that makes our spirits free 
 
 And makes oar joys o'errlow : 
 Nor shall our hearts this pearl resign 
 For power, almighty power, is Thine. 
 
 Like Stephen give us peace 
 
 When darkest woes are rife, 
 Whilst, each in his appointed stand, 
 We meel the hottest strife 
 
92 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 And when earth's loud commotion's swell 
 
 With tempest rage, 
 
 Then let the clear serene of faith 
 
 Our souls engage : 
 
 In death let heaven he opened, and our eye 
 
 See Jesus on His throne of majesty ! 
 
 Spirit of strength and faith. 
 
 Life of the lowly soul — 
 Of meek obedience, and of powers 
 That move in sweet control ; 
 Creator, Thou, of all 
 
 The works which God hath wrought, 
 By whom to us the fruits of heaven 
 
 Are richly brought ; — 
 Thou spirit that didst once inspire 
 
 Prophets and kings, a goodly hand, 
 And kindledst with celestial fire 
 
 The messengers of God's right hand 
 Dwell too in us — with influence high, 
 And there reveal Thy ministry. 
 
 However much the most perfect of the species may have to 
 glory of in the eye of his fellows, he has nothing to glory of 
 before God. The apostle affirms this of Abraham, a patriarch 
 whose virtues had canonized him in the hearts of all his descen- 
 dants; and who from the heights of a very remote antiquity still 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 93 
 
 stands forth to the people of this distant age, as the most venerably 
 
 attired in the worth and piety, and all the primitive and sterling 
 
 virtues of the older dispensation. As to his piety ; of this we have 
 
 no document at all, till after the time when God met him — till 
 
 after that point in his history which Paul assigns as the period of 
 
 his justification by faith,— till after he walked in friendship with the 
 
 God who found him out an alien of nature ; and stretching forth 
 
 to him the hand of acceptance, shed a grace and a glory over the 
 
 whole of his subsequent pilgrimage in the world. 
 
 Dr. Chalmers. 
 
 Longed to "depart and be with Christ," more than at any time of 
 late. My soul was exceedingly united to the saints of ancient times, 
 as well as those now living; especially my soul melted for the 
 society of Elijah and Elisha. Was enabled to cry to God with a 
 childlike spirit, and to continue instant in prayer for some time. 
 
 Brainkkd. 
 
 Aussi, ines amis, lapriere est la marque distinctive des serviteurs 
 puissants du Seigneur. Tous, avec des differences considerables, ils 
 nous offrent ce trait commun : ce sont des hommes qui prient beau- 
 coup, et des hommes qui prient ardemment. Yoyez la priere d'un 
 Jacob ; il lutte avec le Seigneur toute une nuit, jusqu'ace qu'il ait 
 triomphe du Seigneur lui-meme, qui se prete a ce triomphe pour 
 ezercer la foi de son serviteur. Yoyez les prieres d'un Moise, et 
 d'un Samuel, d'un Moise, fondateur d'Israel, d'un Samuel refor- 
 mateur d'Israel; d'un David et d'un roi Josapbat. 
 
 Adolphe Monod. 
 
miMto&tzd pgnjim. 
 
 " Through God we shall do valiantly : for he it is that shall tread 
 down our enemies." — psalm lx. 12. 
 
 Oh day ! that hast unto our souls set forth 
 The Father's counsel, and proclaimed the worth 
 Of Jesus' great salvation — by each tongue 
 Inspired the glory of his name to praise, 
 Oh, let the voice of song, a votive paean raise. 
 
 The earth was lying, veiled in night, 
 
 With error's deepest shades opprest : 
 
 Now her dark places wake to light — 
 By thy smile blest : 
 
 Sing thanks to Jesus ! he shall be 
 
 High on God's throne of majesty; 
 
 Let each disciple's gracious soul 
 
 The triumphs of his name extol, 
 
 And blessings to their righteous Lord 
 
 For all his finished work accord : 
 
 He sends the promised Spirit down 
 
 And hosts proclaim His high renown ; 
 
 Well pleased they vie — through earth's broad zone 
 
 To make His holv statutes known. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 95 
 
 By Jesus sent, they gather in 
 
 With willing mind, 
 Apostles who shall teach His law 
 
 To all mankind : 
 Strengthened hy God, they conquering go — 
 
 And scorn and rage, 
 With every threatening host, in vain 
 
 Their powers engage ; 
 Strengthened by God they conquering go — 
 And in His name, great works they do. 
 
 Heaven sheds on you its gracious showers, 
 Oh ye, who favor Zion's towers ! 
 And see ! her light, with cheering ray, 
 Pours on the heathen's darkened day. 
 With joy they serve the Lord — and now 
 The world that once had learned to bow 
 Beneath the idols' galling yoke, 
 Hath from her evil bondage broke : 
 Long time forgetful — see her learn 
 Her great Creator to discern ! 
 And through a Saviour's merit, claim 
 To call Him by a Father's name. 
 
 And now an entrance large, is given 
 
 With Christ to be,— 
 Glad citizens of Zion — guests of heaven, 
 
 Eternallv. 
 
96 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 And oh, our Father, God ! let us enjoy 
 
 Blessing and bliss ; 
 Whilst trusting in thy love, our faith, with sight, 
 Companion is ; — 
 Thus shall our thankful voices raise 
 For rich delights like these, the sacred song of praise. 
 
 SCHLEGEL. 
 
 Thus Ave are brought to the feast of Pentecost, the morrow after 
 the seventh sabbath from the Passover feast, the first day of the week. 
 I say again, can there be any doubt that the type of the first fruits 
 here mentioned finds its antitype in the gathering of the first-fruits 
 of the spiritual harvest, in the conversion of about three thousand 
 souls by the preaching of St. Peter on the day of Pentecost — 
 " begotten," as St. James says, " by the word of truth, to be a kind 
 of first fruits of his creatures " — predicted, as the Israel of God, 
 to be holiness to the Lord, the first fruits of His increase " — and 
 called in Kevelation, the first fruits unto God and the Lamb ? 
 
 Cummins. 
 
OhiXB, 
 
 "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon 
 
 AND THE STARS, WHICH THOU HAST ORDAINED." — PSALM VIII. 3. 
 
 Oh realm of Stars ! Oh silver light ! 
 
 That hreaks through darkening clouds of night, 
 
 In you, a picture fair I see, 
 
 Of your Creator's majesty, 
 
 Of Him whose hand hath strewn the sky, 
 
 And placed each glittering gem on high : 
 
 A holy spectacle appears — 
 
 My soul is ravished with the spheres. 
 
 And now, oh Lord ! in worship low, 
 
 To Thee with prostrate knee I bow ; 
 
 I feel Thy presence — Thou whose voice 
 
 Hath bid each radiant orb rejoice ; 
 
 I feel thy presence — as I turn 
 
 To gaze on worlds that round me burn ; 
 
 Unnumbered hosts, where thought in vain, 
 
 Would strive their Maker's seat to gain. 
 
 I soar through boundless fields of space — 
 
 My vision scans the wondrous place, 
 
98 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Where in creation's ample hall 
 
 I see from far, this earthly ball, 
 
 Which only as a point of light 
 
 In dim perspective, meets my sight. 
 
 Again through thousand worlds I range, 
 
 My spirit feels the impress strange 
 
 And visits in each bright ahode, 
 
 The common children of our God, 
 
 The dwellers by His finger made ; 
 
 And by a Father's eye surveyed, 
 
 Blessed in their borders with a sense 
 
 Of His paternal providence. 
 
 Oh God ! how fair, with light divine, 
 
 On mortal dust, thy glories shine, 
 
 Yet how shall words thy praise proclaim, 
 
 Or speak the wonders of thy name ! 
 
 My soul adoring, bows to thee, 
 
 And silent, owns thy majesty. 
 
 What field for enthusiasm can be named in comparison with the 
 innumerous and ever-burning stars — the first objects which attract 
 the eyes of children, who send up their sweetest smiles, and lip-lift 
 their tiny hands to pluck them down as playthings, — the beloved of 
 solitary shepherds, who, lying on the hill-side, try to count them 
 in their multitudes, call them by names of their own, love those 
 " watchers and holy ones," as if they were companions and friends, 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 99 
 
 and sometimes exclaim, with the great shepherd King of Israel, 
 " when I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon 
 and the stars, which thou hast ordained ; what is man ? " 
 
 Gilfillax. 
 
 The spacious firmament on high, 
 
 With all the blue, ethereal sky, 
 
 And spangled heavens, a shining frame, 
 
 Their great Original proclaim. 
 
 What, though in solemn silence all 
 
 Move round this dark terrestrial ball ; 
 
 What, though nor real voice nor sound 
 
 Amid their radiant orbs be found ; 
 
 In reason's ear they all rejoice, 
 
 And utter forth a glorious voice ; 
 
 For ever singing as they shine, — 
 
 " The hand that made us is divine." 
 
 Addison. 
 
 " I am the light of the world." A great teacher of the Greek 
 Church is very earnest that Ave should not limit " the world" here, 
 to that world which we inhabit, but should give the word a wider, 
 and as he believes, its proper extension. Christ is the light he 
 urges, not of this world, but of all worlds ; the unity of that crea- 
 tion of God, whereof this world is only a province, demanding that 
 not man only, but all the hierarchy of heaven, angels, principalities 
 and powers, should behold the glory of the Father in the Son, that 
 in his light they should see light ; so that to refuse or reject Him, 
 is to put ourselves out of harmony with all creation, with the moral 
 law not of this only, but of all worlds. 1 will not at the pr< sent 
 pause to inquire, whether this extended meaning may be justly 
 given to Christ's Language here. 
 
 Tbench. 
 
imiB 
 
 <; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the 
 things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are 
 temporal i but the things which are not seen are eternal." — 2. cor. iv. is. 
 
 Come, let us rejoice in our heritage high, 
 'Tis our own Father-land in the realms of the sky ; 
 Though the tears of the pilgrim may moisten his cheek, 
 Yet the glance that is upward, of rapture shall speak. 
 
 Oh tell me, my brothers ! is all we possess 
 A mortality moulded.in perishingness '? 
 And are we not clothed with immortal degree, 
 As the children of hope and eternity ? 
 
 And the Saviour ascended — say hath he not given 
 The boon of a life that is fadeless in heaven ? 
 Then how should despondency shade with her gloom 
 The spirit that rises unspoiled from the tomb ? 
 
 Since those who are crowned with a chaplet divine, 
 Where, encircled in light, does the Amaranth shine, 
 With a jubilee gush of emotions will glow 
 At this heritage fair, which our God shall bestow. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 101 
 
 Then with visions of hope, which the Spirit elate, 
 We'll look up to that land where the promises wait, 
 Yes, for yonder above, in the regions sublime, 
 Salvation is waiting the children of Time. 
 
 'Tis a boon which the mind cannot reach with its powers, 
 Whilst with joy we exult, " This salvation is ours." 
 Thou Lord ! who hast finished thy purpose of grace, 
 Guide those who rejoice in the truth of thy ways ; 
 
 Oh lead them, oh lead us to blessedness high, 
 To the home of the saints in the realms of the sky ; 
 And united in bonds with our brethren above, 
 Let us dwell in eternal fruition of love ! 
 
 Klopstogk. 
 
 This inheritance is often called a kingdom, and a crown of glory. 
 This last word may allude to those garlands of the ancients, and 
 this is its property, that the flowers in it are all amaranths, as a 
 certain plant is named, and so it is called, " A crown of glory that 
 fadeth not away." Is it not time to consider whether we be provi- 
 ded with anything surer and Letter than what we have here ; 
 whether we have any inheritance to go home to after our wandering, 
 or can say with the apostle, " We know that if our house of this 
 tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not 
 made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 
 
 l.i [GHTON. 
 
102 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Christ is ascended into heaven to teach us, that we are strangers 
 and pilgrims here, as all our fathers were, and that another coun- 
 try belongs unto us ; from whence we, as strangers and pilgiims, 
 should learn to abstain from fleshly lusts, and not mind earthly 
 things ; as knowing that we are citizens of heaven, from whence 
 we look for our Saviour, the Lord Jesus ; yea fellow-citizens with 
 the saints, and of the household of God. "We should trample upon 
 our sins, and subdue the lusts of the flesh, that our conversation 
 may be correspondent to our Saviour's condition ; that where the 
 eyes of the apostles were forced to leave him, thither our thoughts 
 
 may follow him. 
 
 Bishop Peausox. 
 

 Tnrs saith the Lord, the heaven i - hk, and the earth is my 
 
 footstool: — for all those things rath mine hand made, and a: : 
 things have been. saith the l.ord i bet to this man will i look. eyen 
 to him that is toor and of a contrite pririt. and trembleth at my 
 word. — Isaiah lxyi. ] . 2. 
 
 Rejoice in the beautiful earth ! 
 
 For well may your spirits rejoice : 
 Since God in His might has gone forth 
 
 And sown a rich harvest of joys. 
 
 This beautiful earth is arrayed 
 As a footstool of infinite love. 
 
 "Where wonderful charms are displayed. 
 And order and harmony move. 
 
 Rejoice in the moon and the sun. 
 
 In the stars that resplendency glow ! 
 In the round of their orbits they run. 
 
 And shine on this valley below. 
 
 The God who inhabits on high 
 
 Eas made them — the work of His hand 
 lake jewels they spangle the Bky, 
 
 Called out at his pot< nl command. 
 
104 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 On the borders — so broad and so fair, 
 Of the drapery mantling His throne, 
 
 These brilliants in beauty, appear — 
 By His finger of majesty thrown. 
 
 And if such be the splendours that move 
 
 Bound the footstool and throne of His might, 
 
 Oh, what is the heart of His love 
 
 But a well-spring of blessing and light. 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
 Ob God ! oh good beyond compare ! 
 
 If tbus thy meaner works are fair, 
 
 If tbus tby glories gild tbe span 
 
 Of ruined earth and fallen man ; 
 
 How glorious must the mansion be 
 
 Where Thy redeemed shall dwell with Thee. 
 
 Bishop Heber. 
 
 What a glorious world ! I exclaim, as I look up to the alternate 
 
 clear effulgence and cloudy beauties of the sky, and then over all 
 
 the vernal charms of the earth. How genuine, how innocent are 
 
 all these delightful visions. Peace be to thee, candid nature, and 
 
 thy scenes ! — thou art what thou appearest. 
 
 J. Foster. 
 
 Willingly would I pass for a plain old man at all times, more 
 prone to draw a profitable lesson from the works of creation 
 than to indulge in idle ecstacies and useless sentimentality; but 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 105 
 
 sometimes the boundless beauty of creation so bursts upon me, so 
 
 takes me, as it were, by storm, that I cannot do otherwise than 
 
 surrender up for the moment, my whole being, to the delightful 
 
 occupation of feasting my eye and my heart on the banquet before 
 
 me, and of adoring the Almighty hand which has not only spread 
 
 an intellectual table for me in the wilderness, but given me a keen 
 
 appetite to relish the repast. 
 
 Old Humphrey. 
 
 I have often thought, in travelling through their land (the people 
 of Angola), that it presents pictures of beauty which angels might 
 enjoy. How often have I beheld, in still mornings, scenes the 
 very essence of beauty, and all bathed in a quiet air of delicious 
 warmth ! yet the occasional soft motion imparted a pleasing sensa- 
 tion of coolness as of a fan. Green grassy meadows, the cattle 
 feeding, the goats browsing, and all this flooded with the blight 
 African sunshine, and the birds singing among the branches, 
 before the heat of the day has become intense, form pictures 
 
 which can never be forgotten. 
 
 Dr.. Livingstone. 
 
 O Powers 
 Illimitable ! — 'tis but the outer hem 
 Of God's great mantle, our poor stars do gem. 
 
 Eagi 
 
 January 20. Rose at five, and began bo ascend Table Mountain 
 at six, with S. and M. : I went on chiefly alone. L thought on the 
 christian life ; what up-hill work it is j and yd there are streams 
 Sowing down from the top, just as there was water coming down the 
 Kloof, by which we ascended. Towards the top it was very steep, 
 
 p 
 
106 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 but the hope of being soon at the summit encouraged me to ascend 
 
 very lightly. As the Kloof opened, a beautiful flame-coloured 
 
 flower appeared in a little green hollow, waving in the breeze. 
 
 It seemed to be an emblem of the beauty and peacefulness of 
 
 heaven, as it shall open upon the weary soul when its journey is 
 
 finished, and the struggles of the deathbed are over. We walked 
 
 up and down the whole length, which might be between two and 
 
 three miles ; and one might be said to look round the world from 
 
 this promontory. I felt a solemn awe at the grand prospect, from 
 
 which there was neither noise nor small objects to draw off my 
 
 attention. I reflected, especially when looking at the immense 
 
 expanse of sea on the east, which was to cany me to India, on 
 
 the certainty that the name of Christ should at some period 
 
 resound from shore to shore. 
 
 Henry Maetyx. 
 
 " Before the foundation of the world." " Foundation." In this 
 word is plainly intimated the resemblance of the world to a 
 buidling ; and such a building it is, as doth evidence the great- 
 ness of Him who framed it ; so spacious, rich, and comely, so firm 
 a foundation, raised to so high and stately a roof, and set with 
 variety of stars, as with jewels, therefore called, as some concieve 
 it, " the work of his fingers," to express the curious artifice that 
 appears in them. 
 
 Leighton. 
 
" Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in 
 heart." — Psalm xcvii. 11. 
 
 "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness."— Psalm 
 cxii. 4. 
 
 Weep not, child of grief and sadness, 
 Weep not thou, in life's young day ! 
 
 Many a joy shall wake thy gladness, 
 Many a grief shall pass thy way. 
 
 What though morn, on gladsome pinion. 
 
 Shed her roseate tints from far ; 
 Weep not, night's suhlime dominion 
 
 Has its heaven with many a star. 
 
 " Then sorrow, touched by thee, grows bright, 
 
 With more than rapture's ray : 
 As darkness shews us worlds of light 
 
 We never saw by day. 
 
 Mooiu:. 
 
 Both day and night open sources of comfort, when Jesus is 
 present, and when Jesus sanctities. How indeed, my soul, canst 
 tlmu be otherwise than comfortable while Jesus is with thee, and 
 
108 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 manifesting himself unto thee ? * * * His loving-kindness, which 
 is better than life itself, will make daylight in the soul, when 
 otherwise it is night. And his love will shine, as the stars in the 
 darkest night sparkle with more lustre, with increasing brightness, 
 when dark providences are around. Nay, Jesus will give songs 
 in the night, when all things else are out of tune. 
 
 Dr. Hawker. 
 
" Praise ye the Lord." " Praise him for his mighty acts : praise him 
 according to his excellent greatness." " let every thing that hath 
 breath praise the lord. praise ye the lord." — psalm cl. 1. 2. 0. 
 
 Praise God, who made the spring 
 
 And dressed the earth in her fair garnishing : 
 
 Thy might went forth 
 
 And formed the earth, 
 
 Thy love sent blessings down — and happiness had birth 
 
 Creatures, your Maker praise ! 
 
 The land that once lay dead 
 Waked up and lived again. 
 
 And each new day, this world below 
 Saw blessings fall, like rain : 
 The worm was glad that life was his, 
 And all the birds of heaven exulted in their bliss. 
 
 The face of earth is young once more, 
 
 And heaven's clear splendours glow ; 
 And hill and vale and wood resound 
 With joy's exulting flow : 
 Whilst he from whom all blessings come, 
 With pity in his eye, 
 
110 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Looks down upon a world that's framed 
 By His great potency. 
 
 Praise God, for he is near — sing all His hosts ; 
 The Lord our God is everywhere throughout the coasts 
 Of earth and heaven and sea — thy name I'll praise, 
 Almighty God of love, to thee my song I'll raise. 
 
 Funk. 
 
 We now rejoice with you in the coming spring, and the warm 
 sunbeams. Although the spring-time of youth is past for us, not 
 so, thank God, the eternal spring, which still grows fresher as we 
 groAv older. 
 
 I have, to my great delight, just opened the balcony door for 
 the first time this year ; and am quite transported with all that 
 the sweet spring breathes, and with all that it reveals to eye and 
 ear. The little birds know not how to leave off singing and 
 rejoicing; and I would sing and rejoice with them. ****** 
 
 Let your heart beat in sympathy with the renewed spring-time 
 of nature, which makes us young and fresh, and gladsome, like 
 the little tomtits in the oak tree behind my window. 
 
 Caroline Perthes. 
 
 Hamburg m 
 
 See ! Theron, what the cheering warmth and the genial showers 
 of spring have done ! Such a change, so pleasing and so enno- 
 bling, the Gospel of Christ introduces into the soul. Not a day, 
 scarce an hour passes, but this season of universal fecundity 
 produces something new. And is there any state, or any circum- 
 stance of life, on which the faith of Christ does not exert a similar 
 efficacy, and bring forth fruit unto God ? 
 
 Heryky. 
 
Summit 
 
 " Lord how manifold are thy works ! ix wisdom hast thou hade 
 
 THEM AXI. : THE EARTH IS FURL OF THY RICHES." — PsALM CIV. 24. 
 
 Around me all is joy — and oh, my God ! 
 
 Thy world, how fair ! in festal garb arrayed ; 
 
 Mountain and vale, and wood and meadow shine. 
 
 How holy is each place ! and wheresoe'er 
 
 With wandering step I go, my gracious God ! 
 
 Thy presence still is near. Thee I behold 
 
 In every place, in each created thing, 
 
 Father of all, I look and gaze on thee ! 
 
 The garden flowers glittering with morning dew, 
 
 Say to my heart, how bounteous is our God ! 
 
 The murmuring waves with their sweet voices say. 
 
 God is the source and well-spring of all good. 
 
 The lisping brooks re-echo, Praise the Lord ! 
 
 See how the ears of corn with blessing full, 
 
 Bend low their heads, whilst scarce the slender stem 
 
 Bears its rich burthen up, — and here the beea 
 
 Their sweet load gather, all to serve mankind. 
 
 From God*s lair flowers ; and there the silkworm spins 
 
 Ere yet she change and rise to lite again. — 
 
 Her shroud and grave. Ami oh, <>nr Father God ! 
 
112 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 With strength and grace crowned as thy attributes, 
 
 How hast thou deigned, as in paternal love, 
 
 To look on man, how multiform thy works, 
 
 In beauty clad, and cast in wondrous mould. 
 
 All that hath life from thine abundance, Lord ! 
 
 As thou hast given them richly to enjoy, 
 
 Their food receive ; the mountains and the vales 
 
 Herb for the cattle yield, and wine and bread. 
 
 Far round me all is joy, and oh my soul, 
 
 Rejoice in this, God's universe of charms. 
 
 Rich is he too, in mercy to myself, 
 
 And may my praise resound aloft to him 
 
 Who thus benignly smiles on me — on all, 
 
 In bounteous blessings kind : then let my voice 
 
 With the great concert of created things, 
 
 Sound universal praise ; to thee oh God, 
 
 Thanksgiving and renown — for thou art good ! 
 
 Fedderson. 
 
 The summer is come ; she hath said, ' Rejoice ! ' 
 The wild woods thrill to her merry voice ; 
 Her sweet breath is wandering around, on high. 
 Sing, sing through the echoing sky ! 
 
 There is joy in the forests ; the bird of night 
 Hath made the leaves tremble with deep delight ; 
 But mine is the glory to sunshine given : — 
 
 Sing, sing through the echoing heaven ! 
 
 Mks. Hemans. 
 
■jxtumn. 
 
 "Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop 
 fatness. — Psalm i.xy. ]l. 
 
 How rich in joy, in bliss, in blessing, 
 
 Oh great Creator ! is thy beauteous earth ; 
 
 In rain and sunshine, and when storms are raging, 
 The power that holds us up is bodied forth, — 
 
 That power which ne'er grows old, but ever new, 
 
 Pours down a thousand gifts to meet our raptured view, 
 
 From its frail shell for us. the seed-born springs, 
 
 And all around, 
 Are waggons with the fulness of the fields 
 
 In plenty crowned. 
 By thy kind eve surveyed, which from above. 
 Looks down upon us with paternal love. 
 
 The pinions of the wind — 
 With rain and storm and flood, 
 
 The lightnings play. 
 Thou dost restrain, oh God ! 
 The elements' wild wrath and nature's hour 
 Are witnesses to thee, touched by thy ^]>irit'> power. 
 
 Q 
 
114 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 New gifts, new blessings does the Autumn bring 
 
 Both far and near, 
 
 To solace and to cheer ; 
 The gardens stand in all their bright array, 
 And painted fruits peer out in colors gay 
 
 From their dark shadowy leaves, — 
 Whilst thy kind favors, in profusion bland 
 On town and country smile, fresh falling from thy hand. 
 Then look we up to heaven, with joy-lit eye, 
 Whilst mutual love is ours, and praise to thee on high. 
 
 Our lives have been prolonged to witness once more within the 
 last few weeks, the wide progress of decay over the field of nature. 
 The infinite masses of foliage, winch unfolded so beautifully in 
 vegetable life, in the spring, and have adorned our landscape, have 
 faded, fallen, and perished. We have beheld the grace of the 
 fashion of them disclosed, continuing awhile bright in the sunshine, 
 and gone for ever. John Foster. 
 
 And, oh ! in a lovely autumnal day 
 
 When leaves are changing before thee, 
 Do not nature's charms, as they slowly decay, 
 
 Shed their own mild influence o'er thee ? 
 And hast thou not felt, as thou stood'st to gaze. 
 The touching lesson such scene displays ? 
 
 B. Batcton. 
 
,msw. 
 
 "He giveth snow like wool: he scatteeeth the hoarfrost like 
 ishes. 1 ■■ he i lsteth forrh his ice j.ike morsels: who can stand 
 13efoke his cold?" — psalm lxi.vii. 16. 17. 
 
 Winter is here — and none may dare intrude 
 
 Within the deep unbroken solitude. 
 
 Which spreads unrivalled o'er the vast domain 
 
 Where Nature holds her universal reign : — 
 
 In lifeless beauty now behold her lie, 
 
 Reposing soft in death's white-drapery, 
 
 Whilst those fair flowers, her children, gently rest 
 
 Tn deep seclusion on their mother's breast, 
 
 Within her close embrace, and dreaming there 
 
 Of that bright morning, when in vestments fair, 
 
 The Spring resurgent to new life shall rise 
 
 And shake the drowsy veil of slumber from her eves. 
 
 Earth, thy fair charms are fled ! thy beauty's zone 
 With all the glory of thy pride is gone ; 
 And like some strain funereal to our hearts, 
 Thy teaching voice its deep-felt truth imparts : 
 The world's rich wealth is borne on wings away, 
 lis gifts are passing as the passing day; 
 
116 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Up, up toward heaven thy spirit's gaze must be, 
 To find eternal grace and majesty. 
 Let life prepare thee for that blissful sphere, 
 Think not to make thy home of blessing here ; 
 Whilst from this earth thy only suit shall be. 
 Room for this robe of dust in life's extremity. 
 
 But when the resurrection morn shall rise 
 And songs of jubilee salute the skies, 
 Then shall the grave her sacred trust resign 
 And give thee back the vestment that was thine. 
 Thus all things change below — then seek not thou 
 Thy cup of bliss where time's dark waters flow ; 
 Far hence to yonder heaven direct thine eye, 
 Thy blessings shine ascendant in the sky : 
 Look up, for treasured in the courts above 
 Salvation dwells, — the Saviour's perfect love. 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
 Those mountains, covered with perpetual ice ; those rooky pyra- 
 mids, covered with everlasting snow; those awful obscure valleys. 
 from which pour down a great number of torrents, among a thousand 
 cascades ; those natural fountains and reservoirs, which surpass 
 by far, everything which the most powerful monarch could procure ; 
 those deserts, whose calmness and solitude is not even interrupted 
 by the song of birds ; those numerous flocks, the image of inno- 
 cence; in short, all this has a something moving, splendid, and 
 majestic, — one remembers it with pleasure, and feels, by some 
 secret magic, a desire of returning and renovating such lively ideas 
 by fresh contemplation. Baron Haller. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 11 
 
 Who would have thought my shrivelled heart 
 
 Could have recovered greenuess ? It was gone 
 Quite underground ; as flowers depart 
 
 To see their mother-root when they have blown ; 
 Where they together, 
 All the hard weather, 
 Dead to the world, keep house unknown. 
 ****** 
 
 These are thy wonders, Lord of love! 
 
 To make us see Ave are but flowers that glide ; 
 Which when we once can find and prove, 
 Thou hast a garden torus where to hide. 
 Who would he more, 
 Swelling through store, 
 Forfeit their paradise by their pride. 
 
 George Hekbert. 
 
 The bleak wind whistles, snow showers far and near 
 Drift, without echo, to the whitening ground ; 
 
 Autumn hath passed, and, cold and drear. 
 Winter stalks on, with frozen mantle hound. 
 
 ]\h:s. Norton. 
 
 Mm this world is not the christian's resting place : here to the 
 very last he must be a pilgrim and a stranger; a soldier, whose 
 warfare ends only with life, ever struggling and combating with the 
 powers of darkness, and with the temptations of the world around 
 him, and the still more dangerous hostilities of internal depravity. 
 The perpetual vicissitudes of this uncertain Btate, the peculiar trials 
 
118 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 and difficulties with which the life of a christian is chequered, and 
 still more, the painful and humiliating remembrance of his own 
 infirmities, teach him to look forward almost with outstretched 
 neck, to that promised day when he shall be completely delivered 
 from the bondage of corruption, and sorrow and sighing shall flee 
 away. In anticipation of that blessed period, and comparing this 
 churlish and turbulent world, (where competition, and envy, and 
 anger, and revenge, so reek and agitate the sons of men.) with that 
 blissful region where love shall reign without disturbance, and 
 where all, knit together in bonds of indissoluble friendship, shall 
 unite in one harmonious song of praise to the author of their 
 common happiness ; the true christian triumphs over the fear of 
 death : he longs to realize these cheering images, and to obtain 
 admission into that blessed company. With far more justice than 
 it was originally used, he may adopt the beautiful exclamation 
 — " prfficlum ilium diem, cum ad ilium divinum animorum conci- 
 lium ccetumque proficiscar, atque ex hae turba et colluvione dis- 
 cedem." 
 
 W. WlLBEKFOKCE. 
 
 Some of the most wonderful exhibitions of the wisdom, power, 
 and goodness of Almighty God are to be traced in a simple snow 
 storm. Who does not love to see the snow come down ? Perhaps 
 the storm begins at night, having long been brooding and threat- 
 ening. At first it is a timid sprinkhng, but soon increasing fast, the 
 thick snow-flakes fall in earnest. All night the storm prevails, but 
 meanwhile as still and calm as when a white winding-sheet is laid 
 over the body of a departed soul. * * With such amazing infini- 
 tude of care and art is this winter vesture of our northern world 
 prepared, and so prepared, that the bright, fleecy, grateful, shelter- 
 ing cloud comes down upon the earth's bosom even as a bird sinks 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 119 
 
 with downy warmth upon her nest. It falls like a dream over the 
 frosty earth, as gently as the evening dew upon the summer flowers. 
 
 G-. B. Cheever. 
 
 'Twas the cold season when the rustic's eye 
 From the drear desolate whiteness of his fields 
 Rolls for relief to watch the skiey tints 
 And clouds slow varying their huge imagery. 
 
 S. T. Coleridge. 
 
ib still in §Uk 
 
 Be still and know that I am God." — Psalm xlvi. 10. 
 
 In God my soul is still, 
 
 He speaks the waves to peace ; 
 Let him do with me as he will 
 
 'Till days on earth shall cease : 
 He is my Lord, and I his servant stand, 
 
 And all is well, appointed by his hand ; 
 His paths are truth and mercy. 
 
 How shall the soul of man. 
 Untutored by his Lord, 
 
 With silent lips his judgments scan 
 Nor speak one foolish word 
 
 In question of the wondrous ways of heaven, 
 Its high disposals to its children given ; 
 
 Nor cavil at his will. 
 
 We ask — how this and that, 
 
 We sigh — how can it be ! 
 We fret that earth should vex us so 
 
 And so unceasingly ; 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 121 
 
 We murmur and we ask in wonder, why 
 We meet so undeserved a destiny, 
 So much below our merits. 
 
 Thus do we — and the while 
 
 Our God his silence keeps, 
 Until the grand results display 
 
 His wonders of the deeps ; 
 Then comes at length our own appointed day, 
 When full of shame we close our lips and lay 
 
 Our mouths in dust before him. 
 
 Then in true worship bowed 
 
 To God, my soul be still ! 
 When in his pleasure, not in thine, 
 
 He leads thee as he will ; 
 And now behold life's darkening journey done, 
 Thy mouth is opened and thy joys begun 
 
 In praising and thanksgiving. 
 
 Attend but his delay, 
 
 And joy thy powers shall fill, 
 Nor may one sad regret be thine — 
 
 Hushed in thy Saviour's will ; 
 'Till through a blest eternity, thy voice 
 Shall sing hosannas, and thy soul rejoice. 
 
 Thy God to praise and honour. 
 
 SlMTTA. 
 R 
 
1Q'2 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 '■ Glimpse of the World to come." by George P. Philips, 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 The very day I was taken ill, I was thinking in the morning, 
 that it was very likely God would punish me soon, for my repeated 
 off-puttings. For some days I found much difficulty in getting 
 near to God or Christ, or the throne. I had much fear in coming, 
 and I could only see God angry in my sufferings. I did not wholly 
 humhle myself hefore God. hut excused myself, and complained of 
 his hardness. Much very anxious thought for three or four days — 
 much very deep prayer although I was ahle to draw near with 
 confidence, through Christ, and to see God merciful, and Christ 
 merciful — and that my suft'erings were for my good, that they were 
 sent in love, to wean me from the world, and teach me to think 
 and pray. I was soon ahle to think with much greater steadiness 
 than hefore, to see God really with me, Christ heside me, and some- 
 what to realize the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, now was the 
 time for rooting out sin and examining my heart; hut from what 
 motive was sin to he put away: — this weighed much. 
 
 I never felt so ill hefore. 1 conceive my present state cannot 
 last long : this exhaustion must be a precursor of death ; hut I he 
 here, waiting for the issue, without a fear, without a doubt, and 
 without a wish." To a friend who remarked " Many hearts are 
 engaged in prayer for you," he rejoined " In prayer ? aye, and I 
 trust in praise too, — praise for countless, endless mercies." * * * * 
 The writer was sitting by his bedside, and, on making some en- 
 quiries as to what had been lately passing in his mind, and of what 
 at that time more particularly he was thinking, he immediately 
 replied with great animation, " I do'nt think now, — I am enjoy- 
 ing." Tie then expressed his entire surrender of himself to the 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 123 
 
 will of God, and spoke of his extreme joy in having his own will so 
 completely in unison with that of God ; adding, with remarkable 
 emphasis, " He cannot do anything against my will." 
 
 Charles Simeon. 
 
 It is hard for the survivor, with a heart full of love and yearning, 
 no longer to hear and see the dear departed one. How deeply and 
 vividly I feel this, when with my motherly heart, I think of my 
 beloved children in heaven. I cannot help asking, why our Hea- 
 venly Father has appointed these painful partings ; and though I 
 receive no answer, I am reassured and comforted by the knowledge 
 that it is His will, and that He wills nothing but good, even where 
 it does not seem so to us. Caboline Perthes, 
 
 I Iamb art). 
 
 You have been led to ask mournfully, — why all this : why not a 
 calmer dismissal of the prepared and expecting spirit ? Why 
 these pains prolonged, or accumulated, or sharpened, when a mer- 
 ciful Father, a compassionate Redeemer, is about to receive the 
 departing and beloved sufferer to his own embrace ? To these 
 queries we must accept, and may with reason accept, the Scrip- 
 turalanswer, which has been repeatedly adduced. The beloved 
 sufferer, though an adopted son. is still Learning obedience : 
 attaining that last and highest gradation of perfective endurance, 
 which worketh for him •' a far more exceeding and eternal glory." 
 The grace by which he endures tins final test, — "nol charging God 
 foolishly," but trusting in his wise and merciful design, although 
 it be (Jod's own gift, and can afford no shadow of a plea for 
 
 boasting, shall lu- "counted worthy " of a rich and "full reward." 
 
 Vet there is something strangely illustrious in the fact, that 
 lapsed and renovated creatures acquire a sort of conformity and 
 
124 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 communion with the Son of God, which heings that have never 
 suffered cannot he imagined to possess. If there be first a some- 
 thing surpassingly glorious in the peculiarity and condescension 
 of his suffering " for us," there is next a something reciprocally 
 glorious, in the peculiarity and honour of our suffering with Him. 
 
 J. Sheppard. 
 
 Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament, adversity is the 
 blessing of the New, which carrieth the greater benediction, and 
 the clearer revelation of God's favour. Yet, even in the Old Tes- 
 tament, if you listen to David's harp, you shall hear as many hearse- 
 like airs as carols ; and the pencil of the Holy Ghost hath laboured 
 more in describing the afflictions of Job than the felicities of Solo- 
 mon. Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes ; and 
 adversity is not without comforts and hopes. We see in needle- 
 works and embroideries, it is more pleasing to have a lively work 
 upon a sad and solemn ground, than to have a dark and melan- 
 choly work upon a lightsome ground : judge, therefore, of the plea- 
 sure of the heart by the pleasure of the eye. Certainly virtue is 
 like precious odours, most fragrant where they are incensed, or 
 crushed ; for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth 
 
 best discover virtue. 
 
 Francis Bacon. 
 
 Do not be discouraged. God, when educating a soul for him- 
 self, suffers it to be tried, tempted, cast down, and sometimes 
 almost destroyed, because man is ever prone to ascribe that praise 
 to himself, which belongs only to his Creator : prone continually to 
 mistake imparted grace for inherent go'odness. We see the 
 alternations of assistance given, and assistance withdrawn or 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 125 
 
 withheld, of affliction and prosperity, a prominent feature in God's 
 dealings with his chosen people, the Jews, whose history shadows 
 forth his dealings with Christians generally. He fed them with 
 manna, and he suffered them to hunger ; he brought forth water 
 out of the rock at one time, and at another obliged them to drink 
 of an embittered fountain ; now he gave them rest beneath the 
 green palm trees of Elim, and again, made them traverse the great 
 and terrible wilderness. Why these variations ? Why this dis- 
 cipline ? Why expose them to a painful pilgrimage of forty years, 
 Avhen as many days would have sufficed for their journey into the 
 promised land ? Why were they not placed at once in rest, wealth, 
 and happiness ? God has told us : it was, said he, addressing the 
 Jews at the close of their wanderings, " to humble thee, and prove 
 thee, to know what was in thine heart;" " without me," says the 
 Saviour, "ye can do nothing," " I can do all things." says St. Paul 
 " through Christ which strengthened me :" here we have the same 
 system of discipline applied to us spiritually, which to the Jews 
 had been applied temporally. And why ? That no flesh may glory 
 in the presence of the Lord; that vain, proud, erring man, by 
 constantly feeling the weakness of his own strength, may constantly 
 rely upon his Saviour's ; that he may be weaned from self-right- 
 eous dependance, from ambitious hopes, and forward reasonings, 
 and be thankful to embrace salvation as offered in the gospel, by 
 God in the office of Saviour, to man in his character of sinner. 
 
 M. J. Jewsbuuv. 
 
"He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth ever* 
 
 PRECIOUS THING." " He BINDETH THE FLOODS FROM OVERFLOWING; AND THE 
 THING THAT IS HID BRINGETH HE FORTH TO LIGHT." — JOB XXVIII. 10. 11. 
 
 See, the winter gone and over ! 
 
 Snow and rain have passed us by : 
 Life, whom Death had held his prisoner. 
 
 Bursts to new-found liberty. 
 
 From its winter slumbers waking, 
 
 Now, in each obscured recess, 
 Nature's every form is breaking 
 
 Into finished loveliness. 
 
 Spring's own hand itself shall dress her, 
 Spring with genial breath, is near ; 
 
 And the admiring heart shall bless her 
 As she smiles in beauty here. 
 
 In the deserts God is breathing 
 
 Life and warmth through grove and plain 
 And with quickening voice is sounding 
 
 Through the graves of nature's reign. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 1Q7 
 
 There her streams again are nowhn 
 
 l r>> 
 
 There her face with heauty smiles ; 
 Thousand germs to life are budding 
 In the vales and on the hills. 
 
 Here and there the tender blossoms 
 
 Scarce their straightened dwellings break 
 
 And where gentle airs are straying 
 
 Wake their asking thoughts to speak. 
 
 Music's vocal charms are swelling 
 
 From the bird's light-hearted choir, 
 
 Yes — 'tis spring within our borders ; 
 Come, ye flowers, to light aspire ! 
 
 Over all the shout is thrilling, — 
 
 Life from death, is waked anew, 
 
 And whilst earth puts on her bridals 
 Softly smile the heavens of blue. 
 
 Come, and gaze upon this wonder, 
 Glad within thy spirit — home ! 
 
 God doth make his desert blossom 
 And for thee, the spring is come. 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
 Consider this beautiful vernal season; what a gloomy and 
 unpromising scene and season it arises out of I It is almost 
 like creation from chaos; like life from a stale of death. Again, 
 
128 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 how welcome are the early signs and precursory appearances of 
 the spring : — the earlier dawn of the day ; a certain cheerful cast 
 in the light, even though still shining through an expanse of 
 desolation ! it has the appearance of a smile : — a softer breathing 
 of the air at intervals ; the bursting of the buds ; the vivacity of 
 the animal tribes ; the first flowers of the season ; and by degrees, 
 a delicate, dubious tint of green. It needs not that a man should 
 be a poet or a sentimental worshipper of nature to be delighted 
 with all this. J. Foster. 
 
 On the day preceding the last anniversary of her betrothal, 
 she wrote ; — " To morrow will be my day of days, the first of 
 May ; and gladly would I wander with my beloved bridegroom 
 amid the hills and woods, when I might see and hear none but 
 himself, and might thank God, that, after four-and-twenty years, 
 I can keep the day with feelings of the most thorough joy and 
 satisfaction. A few sighs may escape, for my breath is but short ; 
 but joy shall be continually renewed : yes, certainly, the woods, 
 the green woods, would be my chosen home ; though when I look 
 through the fresh green leaves at the blue waters and the un- 
 clouded sky, all is so beautiful that it is only with shame and 
 self-reproach that I can really wish for more. Such a fulness of 
 spring splendour and beauty, I think I have never seen ; — the love- 
 liness of the trees and foliage, grass, and flowers, is inexpressible. 
 And this great change from death to life has come to pass in a few 
 days, I might say, in a few hours When we stand in the sweet 
 spring-tide, looking through the tall, bright, green trees to the 
 pure blue sky, one can scarcely realize all the trouble and sorrow 
 that may be within and around us : yes, spring is the time of joy; 
 and that joy carries my heart upwards to that bright and happy 
 land, where there shall be no more pain or sorrow. 
 
 Caromne Pebthes. 
 
/Xrmftrri Sax tht mbt at 3 
 
 " now there was leaning ok jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom 
 Jesus loved. — Johx xiii. 23. 
 
 With calm repose, oil let rue lie, 
 My Saviour, on thy breast ; 
 
 That shrine of holy sympathy 
 
 For hearts with grief opprest. 
 
 My Jesus ! crown of all my joys ! 
 
 Thy sheltering love extend ! 
 And on the bosom of thy grace 
 
 Let all my sorrows end ! 
 
 Oli what are hearts of earthly mould 
 To that dear heart of thine ; 
 
 Ir burns with pure, celestial fire, 
 Ineffable, divine. 
 
 Can there be love, unchanged by time ' 
 
 Unsullied by decay ! 
 Untouched amid the stormy blasts 
 
 Of life's eventful day:' 
 
130 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Love, which the cruel shafts of death. 
 
 May strike, yet strike in vain ; 
 Still in this heritage below 
 
 Tis mingled all with pain. 
 
 Though soft and strong the bonds may be 
 Which bind our souls below ; 
 
 Yet soon destruction hastes his work 
 And death deals out his blow. 
 
 Unfathomed are the depths beneath. 
 Unsealed the heights above, 
 
 That own the empire of thy grace, 
 The empire of thy love. 
 
 That love, unbought with price, shall stand 
 Calm, undisturbed and pure ; 
 
 In spite of all the guilt of sin, 
 For ever to endure. 
 
 Inconstant though our faith may be, 
 
 Unstable and untrue, 
 Thy love eternally shall flow 
 
 From well-springs ever new. 
 
 Beneath thy kind and pitying eye, 
 Within thy large embrace ; 
 
 The souls that seek thy favouring smile 
 Are welcome to thy face. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 131 
 
 Yes, for within thy heart of truth 
 
 One little place is found ; 
 A promised refuge for the poor, 
 
 A spot of holy ground. 
 
 Grant us, oh Lord our God, we pray. 
 
 That when our tear-drops flow, 
 When friendship's form is sear and dead 
 
 In this cold world helow — 
 
 Grant us that then, with peaceful mind. 
 
 We lean upon thy hreast : 
 
 Whilst thus reposing in thy love. 
 
 Our souls indeed are hlost. 
 
 Spitta. 
 
 From blessed experience Ave declare that the Messiah is come, 
 and His essence is Love incarnate, His Name, Free Salvation, and 
 His delight the eternal happiness of the children of men. Upon 
 trials a thousand times successfully repeated, we proclaim him the 
 help <>f the helpless, the hope of the hopele>s. the health of the 
 sick, the strength of the weak, the riches of the poor, the peace 
 of the disquieted, the comfort of the afflicted, the light of those 
 that sit in darkness, the companion of the desolate, the friend of 
 the friendless, the way of the bewildered, the wisdom of the 
 foolish, the righteousm ssof the ungodly, the justification of the un- 
 holy, the redemption of captives, the joy of mourners, the glory of 
 the infamous, and in a word, the salvation of the lost 
 
 •i. Fletcher. 
 
132 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Philosophers have measured mountains, 
 
 Fathom'd the depths of seas, of states, and kings ; 
 
 Walked with a staff to heaven, and traced fountains ; 
 But there are two vast spacious things, 
 
 The which to measure it doth more behove, 
 
 Yet few there are that sound them — Sin and Love. 
 
 Who would know Sin, let him repair 
 Unto Mount Olivet ; there shall he see 
 
 A man so Avrung with pains, that all his hair, 
 His skin, his garments, bloody be. 
 
 Sin is that press and vice which foreeth pain, 
 
 To hunt his cruel food through every vein. 
 
 Who knows not Love, let him assay 
 
 And taste that juice which, on the cross, a pike 
 
 Did set abroach ; then let him say 
 If ever he did taste the like. 
 
 Love is that liquor, sweet and most divine, 
 
 Winch my God feels as blood, but I as wine. 
 
 Herbert. 
 
 Jesu, Lover of my soul, 
 
 Let me to thy bosom fly, 
 While the nearer billows roll, 
 
 While the tempest still is high : 
 Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, 
 
 Till the storm of life be past ; 
 Safe into the haven guide, 
 
 receive my soul at last ! 
 
 C. Wesley. 
 
8 
 
 From the depths that lie within, 
 
 From thyself, thou seek'st in vain, 
 
 Vainly seek'st thou 
 
 Light and peace and joy to gain. 
 
 Then unto the fount repair ! 
 
 Of our life the inmost spring, 
 Haste thy footsteps, 
 
 From thy God thy fulness bring ! 
 
 Where thy being had its birth 
 Let thy seeking spirit flee ! 
 
 Thy first solace 
 
 Rest in God himself shall be. 
 
 But alas ! thou canst not go, 
 
 And beneath his wing abide ; 
 
 Sin divides thee 
 
 From a loving Father's side. 
 
 See the Saviour's hand of love, 
 And his arm extended, see ! 
 
 Whilst he lifts thee, 
 
 In his heavenly courts to bo. 
 
134 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 He, thy mediator, comes, 
 
 He redeems thee from the fall ; 
 
 Thus removing 
 
 Sin, thy soul's partition-wall. 
 
 Life, thy great Creator gave, 
 
 Life, my Saviour now bestows ; 
 
 And the Spirit 
 
 To thee in His fulness flows. 
 
 He, the Holy Ghost, appears 
 
 Through life's vale thy guide to he, 
 
 And to bring thee 
 
 Gifts of grace abundantly. 
 
 Hearts-ease suited to thy need, 
 
 In His rich supply, He brings ; 
 
 Truth's pure essence, 
 
 Strength, in all its solacings. 
 
 He each holy purpose gives, 
 
 He will speak in whispers mild ; 
 
 He will teach thee 
 
 How thy Father loves his child. 
 
 At the fountain-head of life 
 
 Dost thou gaze with joy-lit eye, 
 
 Though life's vapors, 
 
 To a blest eternity ? — 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 135 
 
 Art thou in God's favour, blest, 
 
 Reconciled and crowned with love, 
 And enjoying, 
 
 Earth-bound here, bright hopes above ? 
 
 In thyself and in the world, 
 
 Seek not then thy rest to find : 
 Downy couches 
 
 111 can soothe the toil-worn mind. 
 
 Though thou place the infant head 
 
 In the softest cot to lie, 
 Though thou hush him 
 
 With thy sweetest lullaby. 
 
 Softer would that head repose 
 
 On a mother's breast the while, 
 Stiller slumbers 
 
 Would his new-born sense beguile. 
 
 Where, his being's solace sweet, 
 
 First the draught of life is his, 
 Gently swelling 
 
 All the streams of infant bliss. 
 
 Thus to God, my spirit, turn ! 
 
 With each weight of woe opprest ; 
 He shall give thee, 
 
 He alone can give thee rest. Spitta. 
 
136 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 It would be interesting, perhaps, to enter into a particular anal- 
 ysis of the mental state to which our attention is directed in these 
 remarks But without attempting to do this, we may properly 
 remark here, that the state of mind which is described as meekness 
 or quietness of spirit, is characterized in a very high degree, by 
 inward harmony. When the judgment is rendered clear by religious 
 influences, when the appetites are subdued, when the various pro- 
 pensities and affections, once rebellious and conflicting, are each 
 and all in their place, operating where they ought to operate, and 
 not operating where they ought not to operate ; the mind not only 
 presents the aspect of rest and quietness, but is obviously in 
 harmony with itself ; without which indeed, the state of rest could 
 not exist. The love of God is restored to its position, as the con- 
 trolling principle ; and every natural desire and affection is exer- 
 cised in subordination to it. There is not that inward jarring 
 which had formerly existed ; thought in conflict with thought, 
 passion contending with passion, or conscience asserting rights 
 which it could not maintain. " Disorderly passions," says Matthew 
 Henry in his interesting discourse on meekness and quietness of 
 spirit,- — " are like stormy winds in the soul ; they toss and hurry 
 it, and often strand and overset it, they move it as the trees of the 
 wood are moved with the wind ;" — it is the Prophet's comparison, 
 and is an apt emblem of a man in a passion. Now meekness 
 restrains these winds, says to them — Peace be still, and so preserves 
 a calm in the soul, and makes it conformable to Him who has the 
 winds in His hand, and is ever to be praised, that even the stormy 
 
 winds fulfil his word. 
 
 T. C. Upham. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 137 
 
 The men of this infidel generation, whose every faculty is so 
 bedimmed by the grossness of sense, that they cannot lay hold of the 
 realities of faith, and cannot appreciate them, — to them the barriers 
 we have now insisted on, which he in the way of man taking God 
 into his love, and of God taking man into his acceptance, may 
 appear to be so many faint and shadowy considerations, of which 
 they feel not the significance-; but to the pure and intellectual eye 
 <if angels, they are substantial obstacles, and One Mighty to save 
 had to travail in the greatness of his strength, in order to move 
 them away. The Son of God descended from heaven, and he 
 took upon him the nature of man, and he suffered in his stead, and 
 he consented that the whole burden of offended justice should fall 
 upon him, and he bore in his own body on the tree the weight of 
 all those accomplishments by which his Father behoved to be glori- 
 fied; and after having magnified the law, and made it honourable 
 by pouring out his soul unto the death for us, he went up on high, 
 and by an arm of everlasting strength, levelled that wall of parti- 
 tion which lay across the path of acceptance, and thus it is that the 
 barrier on the part of God is done away, and he, with untarnished 
 glory, can dispense forgiveness over the whole extent of a guilty 
 creation, because he can be just, while he is the justifier of them 
 who believe in Jesus. 
 
 Dr. Chalmers. 
 
 I had a deep peace, a peace which seemed to pervade my whole 
 soul. A peace which resulted from the fact, that all my desires 
 were fulfilled in God, I desired nothing ; feared nothing; willed 
 nothing; I feared nothing, considered in its ultimate results and 
 relations, because my strong faith placed God at the head of all 
 perplexities, and all events. 
 
 Lady. Guion. 
 
 i 
 
188 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 See, Pardon for lost sinners is written, with pointed steel and 
 
 streaming blood, on his pierced hands and feet ! The double flood 
 
 issuing from his wounded side, more than seals the dear-bought 
 
 blessing : the handwriting against us is nailed to his cross and 
 
 blotted out with his precious blood : his open arms invite, draw, 
 
 and welcome returning prodigals ; and there encircled, the worst 
 
 of sinners may find a safe and delightful retreat, a real and present 
 
 heaven. 
 
 J. Fletcher. 
 
kitee.p not for me. 
 
 "But Jesus turning onto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep 
 not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.'' — lukb 
 xxiii. 28. 
 
 For Jesu's agony and death, 
 
 Oh, weep not ye ! 
 Weep rather, that engulphed in sin. 
 
 Your souls should he ; 
 Jesus is all immaculate — 
 For you he bore the curse and wounds of direful hate. 
 
 Companions of his cross ! 
 
 In vain your tear-drops fall ; 
 And what avails it to behold 
 
 Death's dark and shadowy pall ! 
 In vain ye lift the loud lament 
 
 Where the Redeemer's soul was spent, 
 If ne'er ye raise the enquiring sigh — 
 
 For whom, and where lore did he die ? 
 
 Could there no sin he found 
 
 In David's rightful sen ? 
 And say — is death alone the meed 
 
 By sinners won '.' 
 
140 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Whilst stripes unmerited, lie bore, 
 And by his death, he stooped, the guilty to restore. 
 
 Oh then, for whom was waged 
 This unexampled strife ? 
 
 For whom did Jesus, on the cross, 
 Pour out his life ? — 
 For you, his brethren — for you— 
 Was Jesus bathed in death's cold dew. 
 And now, your Lord of spotless mould, 
 Perfect in suffering, you behold ; 
 Yes — well might tears of anguish now 
 At this dread scene of sacred woe. 
 
 But when, with heart-felt grief 
 
 Your sins ye rue, 
 Beholding in the Saviour's pangs, 
 
 Their merit due ; 
 Oh then shall He whose soul 
 
 With aspect mild, 
 Endured for enemies, the curse, 
 
 As sorrow's child. — ■ 
 Speak to your hearts — with mercy in his eye, 
 And bid the fountain of your tears be dry. 
 
 S PITTA. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. Ill 
 
 Was not your Lord and Master haled from the priests to Herod, 
 and before Pontius Pilate, and spit upon ? He was hated, and spit 
 upon for thee. Did he not go to prison for thee ? And was he not 
 mocked and scourged for thee ? Did he not bow to the cross and 
 grave for thee, he who had no sin, neither was guile found in his 
 mouth ? And did he not bear thy sins in his own body upon the 
 tree ? And was he not scourged for thee, " by whose stripes we are 
 healed." Did he not suffer " the contradiction of sinners'' ? Who died 
 for sinners, and went into the grave for sinners, and died for the 
 ungodly, yea tasted death for every man ; who, through death, 
 destroyed death, and the devil, the power of death, and is risen, — fir 
 death and the grave could not hold him ; and the powers and princi- 
 palities, with all their guards and watches, could not hold him within 
 the grave ; but he is risen, and is ascended, far above all princi- 
 palities, powers, thrones, and dominions ; and is set down at the right 
 hand of God, and remaineth in the heavens till all things be 
 restored ; and he is restoring with his light, grace, truth, power, 
 spirit, faith, gospel, and word of life: so that you read of some that 
 came to " sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." 
 
 Geokge Fox. 
 
 Determine, as St. Paul, to know nothing but Christ, and him 
 crucified. Consider the inexpressible value and inconceivable 
 efficacy of his precious, all-atoning blood. It is the blood of the 
 sacred body, assumed by the eternal Logos, when " Be appeared in 
 the likeness of sinful flesh," both as a victim and a priest, to suffer 
 the ]'■ aalty of His own righteous law for us, and to "put away 
 sin by the sacrifice of himself:" the blood of " the Lamb of God," 
 slain to sprinkle many nations; the blood of that mysterious 
 being, who fills the " bosom of the Father," and the everlasting 
 throne; at whose feel all the heavenlj powers casl their crowns; 
 
142 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 and to whom in the midst of the acclamations and adorations of 
 " an innumerable company of angels," in the midst of " sounding 
 trumpets, thunderings, lightnings, and voices ; the spirits of just 
 men made perfect, ascribe salvation," — free, full, immensely dear- 
 bought " salvation :" and, to say all in one word, it is " the blood of 
 
 God made manifest in the flesh." 
 
 J. Fletcher. 
 
 It is the moral design of the cross which gives it all its efficacy 
 as a doctrine. Thus it creates us anew. In consequence of its 
 own native virtue it accomplishes our salvation, by removing that 
 consciousness of guilt, which makes us desire that " God would 
 depart from us," and keeps us at a distance from him. "What did 
 the apostles intend when they set forth Jesus Christ and him cruci- 
 fied ? "Was it for the purpose of presenting a tragical spectacle before 
 the eyes of men, or merely to exhibit an illustrious example of 
 patience and suffering fortitude ? No, my brethren ; it was the 
 only name " given under heaven among men, whereby they must 
 be saved." They presented that blood as it there flowed warm from 
 his veins, as the blood which cleanseth from all sin ; as the blood 
 which is to be received by faith ; as the blood which offered peace 
 •• speaking better things than that of Abel," as the blood by which 
 the thunders of the law were hushed : which was shed for the pur- 
 pose of harmonizing the Divine attributes and uniting guilty 
 creatures to the Eternal Majesty, in bonds of perfect amity and 
 
 everlasting alliance. 
 
 Robert Hall. 
 
Sift mh foil m)dmmni m ftri&t 
 
 " Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as 
 ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins i.ove thee." — cant. 8. 
 
 Jesus, my sun! before whose eye, 
 Night and her shades of darkness fly : 
 Jesus, my pure delight, my bliss, 
 Thou who canst banish each distress ; 
 Within my heart, from day to day. 
 Thy name is heard melodiously : 
 Oh, how does love untold, like thine, 
 Thou Son of God ! on sinners shine. 
 
 Deep through my soul an influence steals ; 
 
 A heavenly breath its power reveals ; 
 
 And ever in my inmost ear. 
 
 It speaks in whispers soft and clear : 
 
 To God let all thy wishes tend, 
 
 In him let each ambition end. 
 
 What though the world for me no more 
 
 Retain each fondly-cherished store. 
 
 With pure devotion I resigD 
 
 For Christ, my Lord, what once was mine 
 
144 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Beside this pearl of costly worth, 
 How sordid were the spoils of earth : 
 Well pleased these glittering charms I flee, 
 All that beguiles my soul from Thee ! 
 
 Apart from thee, my Saviour Lord, 
 What virtue can my life afford ? 
 My being's element thou art, 
 The life-blood of this throbbing heart. 
 Since thus I live — without avail, 
 Shall death my settled peace assail : 
 Then what can harm me or dismay — 
 Since thou hast washed my sins away. 
 No more shall pain or suffering spread 
 Their vapouring damps around my head ; 
 For legion-bands like their's shall never 
 From Christ, his dear disciple sever ; 
 Nor earthly cross have power to move 
 My spirit from its home in love. 
 
 Thou well-spring of eternal bliss, 
 Thou Fountain-head of blessedness ! 
 When I can claim thee for my own, 
 Then joys and sorrows all are one ; — 
 In truth my riches are not mean, 
 Though on a beggar's staff I lean ; 
 For wealthy as a king am I 
 Tn faith's abounding treasury. 
 
FXH0ES OF ETERNITY. 145 
 
 If here such sweet delights I taste, 
 
 Of heaven the blissful antepast. 
 
 What will the full fruition be 
 
 When each enfeebling sense shall flee ! 
 
 Then death himself a blessing gives, 
 
 And grace her rich reward receives ; 
 
 A heavenly heritage is mine, 
 
 A kingdom and a crown divine. 
 
 Dear Lord, upon my soul impress 
 
 This signet-word of holiness, 
 
 That I without thy love, am' lost, 
 
 A hopeless wreck on ocean tost ; 
 
 But thou, with saving grace hast come 
 
 And called my wandering spirit home, 
 
 To anchor in a port of rest — 
 
 The faithful haven of thy breast 
 
 Spitta. 
 
 We must trust as little children, then we shall not live in dread. 
 Plow strange that Christians should he afraid of diseases, accidents 
 by railway, and such things, when God is always with them. 
 
 De. Gordon. 
 
 " And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which 
 moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live." — Ezek. L7.9. 
 Listen to this promise, my xml, and make it the Bubjecl of this 
 morning's meditation, of this day, and every day. See how rich, 
 h<>\\ extensive, it is in the life-promising power; ami the river oJ 
 
 i 
 
146 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 life in Jesus possesseth all these blessed effects. To every poor 
 sinner, brought into this rich stream, it gives life, spiritual life, 
 eternal life. And who shall describe the length, the breadth, the 
 heights, the depths, of it ? Not only extending over all the con- 
 tinent of the earth, but from the borders of hell to heaven, and 
 from one eternity to another. And its sovereignty is such that it 
 bears down aU before it — washing away sin, and guilt, and misery ; 
 diffusing streams of life, and grace, and mercy ; opening sources 
 of joy, and peace, and happiness, for ever and ever. Oh! precious, 
 precious Jesus ! make glad my soul with the streams of this river: 
 be thou the fountain of all my happiness, and all my springs be in 
 
 thee. 
 
 Hawker. 
 
 On the 22nd of July, he unexpectedly broke out into the following- 
 words : " mother, how happy I am ! The Lord Jesus will cer- 
 tainly take me either to-night or to-morrow morning, and will 
 accompany me himself through the valley of the shadow of death." 
 He then said to his father, who was just returned from the field, 
 and wondered at the cheerfulness of the dying child, " Oh how 
 rich I am ! God is my father, Jesus is my brother, and I am a 
 child of God ! I shall inherit a whole kingdom ! How poor am I 
 and yet how rich. TYith my bodily eyes I can scarcely see you any 
 longer, but I behold Jesus more clearly. I must now leave you and 
 
 leave you willingly. * * * 
 
 Jonas Eii.ers. 
 
Messengers to ib t wmttym. 
 
 " GrO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE 
 NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST :" 
 
 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded 
 
 XOV : AND, LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD." 
 
 —Matthew xxviii. 19. 20. 
 
 Ye messengers of Christ, 
 
 By him commissioned forth 
 To preach Salvation through the hounds 
 
 Of utmost Earth : 
 To bid the blind their Saviour see, 
 
 The dead to wake — 
 Thrice blessed ministers are ye 
 
 For his dear sake. 
 Strike onwards through the depths 
 
 Where darkness reigns. 
 Where brooding horror o'er the gloom 
 
 Her hold maintains. 
 Your gifts of faith and love shall be 
 Crowned by your Lord with victory. 
 
 Lift high the banner of the cross 
 
 Where shines the Saviour's name, 
 
 That heathen lands with subject mind 
 May own liis matchless fame ; 
 
148 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 To all the world a witness be 
 
 Of the Redeemer's majesty 
 
 That he must conquer and that they 
 
 Or soon or late must pass away. 
 
 Ye wrestlers strong in Faith ! 
 
 No glittering sword is yours, 
 No blandishments to grace the fight 
 
 Your mastery ensures : 
 Press on, press on with conquering hand, 
 
 Assert Messiah's wide command. 
 
 The earth is his, and he alone 
 Maintains his universal throne ; 
 He who has sent you forth 
 Will help you through, 
 Your King is ever at your side 
 With succour true ; 
 And though as sheep among the wolves are ye. 
 Yet shall ye walk with joy amid his pastures free. 
 
 A kindling zeal, a glowing love 
 Have bade your willing footsteps move ; 
 These both commissioned from on high 
 Have touched your spirit's ministry ; 
 Have bade you tell with message true 
 What Christ your Lord has done for you, 
 And to each brother's ear proclaim 
 The virtue of a Saviour's name. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 140 
 
 Then seek not honour, glory, wealth. 
 
 As yours to be, 
 No, but the precious blood that flowed 
 
 On Calvary. 
 
 Oh then with gladsome heart receive 
 The shame and scorn that worldlings give ; 
 Kejoice when every land shall be 
 Filled with a Saviour's majesty. 
 Rejoice and triumph that your fame 
 Should lie in dust for Jesu's name : 
 Rejoice to stand with open gate, 
 Where enters, Israel's King with state. 
 
 Hosannahs to the Lord 
 
 Let thousand voices sing, 
 Now that our night of pain is past 
 
 Shall joy's loud anthem ring ! 
 Let all the far-off kingdoms come 
 In concourse to their heavenly home, 
 
 And there shall thousand, thousand knees 
 
 In worship bend 
 Before the mighty Son of God, 
 The sinner's friend : 
 This — faithful witnesses ! shall be 
 The sweet reward to crown vour work and ministry. 
 
150 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 " The Lord " now sends you forth to his servants among the 
 heathen, — yea to the heathen themselves,— with your hands laden 
 with the fruits of his love in your hearts, to dispense to them, as 
 you have done to me and thousands in this land, his own gifts. 
 May he keep you as diligent and upright and humhle and perseve- 
 ring, with all faith, and hope, and charity whither you are going, as 
 where you have heen ! and may not only the living in the uttermost 
 parts of the earth, hut generations unborn, rise up to call you 
 blessed, blessed of the Lord, — for to Him give all the glory ; — with as 
 much reason as I do at this day, and as I shall do when I meet 
 you at the judgment seat of Christ. J. Montgomery. 
 
 Soldier go — but nut to claim 
 
 Mouldering spoils of earth-born treasure, 
 Not to build a vaunting name, 
 
 Not to dwell in tents of pleasure. 
 Dream not that the way is smooth, 
 
 Hope not that the thorns are roses ; 
 Turn no wishful eye of youth, 
 
 "Where the sunny beam reposes, 
 Thou hast sterner work to do — 
 Hosts to cut thy passage through ; 
 Close behind thee gulfs are burning- 
 Forward ; there is no returning. 
 
 Charlotte Elizabeth. 
 
 April 15th. — may God confirm my feeble resolutions ! O what 
 have I to do but labour, and pray, and fast, and watch for the 
 salvation of my soul, and those of the heathen world. Ten thou- 
 sand times more than ever do I feel devoted to that precious work. 
 O gladly shall this base blood be shed, every drop of it, if India 
 can be benefited in one of her children — if but one of these children 
 of God Almighty might be bnmght home to his duty. 
 
 Henry Martyn. 
 
CD 
 
 ;]lnnicr, 
 
 "By this shall all men KNOW THAI ye are MY DISCIPLES, if ye have 
 r.ovE one to another." — John xiii. 85. 
 
 Thou who in that last night 
 Before thy passion, diclst in converse high 
 To thy disciples teach the wondrous worth 
 Of mighty love ; — Oh ! do thou now remind 
 Thy church and company, — hearts all too prone 
 To sever from each other, bid them learn 
 That thy last care when sojourning below 
 Was that thy members should in oneness dwell. 
 
 Count Zinzendorf. 
 
 Our trust in the Almighty is, that 'with us, contentions are at the 
 highest float, or that the clay will come (for what cause of despair 
 is there ?) when the passions of former enmity being allayed, we 
 shall, with ten times redoubled tokens of our unfeignedly redou- 
 bled love, show ourselves each towards other, the same which 
 Joseph and the brethren of Joseph were at the time of their 
 interview in Egypt. Our comfortable expectation and most thirsty 
 desire whereof, what man soever amongsl you shall any way help to 
 satisfy, (as we truly hope there is no one amongst you but some 
 way or other will.) the blessings of the God of peace, will in this 
 world and in the world to conic, be upon him more than the stars 
 of the firmament in number. Richabd Hooker. 
 
152 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 If we love one another with pure hearts fervently, we shall love 
 God supremely. 
 
 J. Montgomery. 
 
 While we walk with God in light 
 
 God our hearts doth still unite ; 
 
 Dearest fellowship we prove, 
 
 Fellowship in Jesu's love : 
 
 Sweetly each, with each combined, 
 
 In the bonds of duty join'd, 
 
 Feels the cleansing blood applied, 
 
 Daily feels that Christ hath died. 
 
 J. Wesley. 
 
mm mi ffkifft'* S&ssioii. 
 
 " Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that 
 we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose 
 stripes ye were healed." — 1 peter ii. 2i. 
 
 Clothe me oil Lord, with strength ! that I may dwell 
 Upon thy passion — and may ponder well 
 
 Its import high ; 
 And bathe my spirit in that sea of love 
 
 Which did thee move 
 Our sinful souls to save from guilt and misery. 
 
 With God the Father, one, 
 'Twas Thine on earth, to put our nature on 
 Clothed in a garb of frail mortality : 
 
 Then on the cross, in death 
 
 Didst thou pour out thy breath, 
 To suffer in our stead that mortal agony, 
 And bearing thus our guilt, our substitute to be. 
 
 Oh, work supreme of wonder and of grace ! 
 
 On thee I muse : 
 And when in thought thy mysteries I tri 
 My captive powers entranced, their aid refuse — 
 My very heart hounds high when themes like thesi >Icho< >se. 
 
 \ 
 
154 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 And here I learn a lesson, and behold 
 
 The curse of sin : 
 While God is just, and will in wrath avenge 
 
 Each evil thing — 
 That God is love, and doth the world redeem 
 From perishing. 
 Enraptured and in dread, 
 As round the cross I tread, 
 My soul this truth receives, and droops her feeble winj 
 
 I there behold my merit and my pride 
 
 Together slain : 
 He stabs me to the heart — and then he lifts 
 
 His child again : 
 He shows me my high calling, and transforms 
 
 This breast of mine, 
 So that a foe no longer, I exclaim — 
 
 Lord, I am thine ! 
 
 Oh God of my salvation ! in thy blood 
 
 My soul believes ; 
 Grant that whilst here before thee, in the dust 
 
 Thy creature lives, 
 My thankful heart may bear her part, 
 And praise thee for the grace which thus my soul receive: 
 
 Oh scene surpassing thought ! our finite ken 
 Searches in vain : 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 155 
 
 By faith alone these hidden paths are trod — 
 Else who such steeps would dare, and seek to find out God. 
 His dearest attributes are love and grace 
 
 In concert joined : 
 Whilst low in adoration bowed, we trace 
 
 Their lines combined, 
 And praise those glorious heights, where mercy sits 
 enshrined. 
 
 Oh gracious Lord ! 
 Send down thy holy spirit from above. 
 
 To teach this heart. 
 That I with honor due, thy sacred cross may view, 
 And at the voice of love, her hallowed ways pursue. 
 
 When earth-born pains distress, 
 
 And crosses vex my soul. 
 I will not yield to sorrow's wave 
 
 Its large control ; 
 No rather will I serve my Saviour God, 
 Who, to redeem my soul, that thorny pathway trod. 
 
 To choose the good — the evil to eschew, 
 Thy sufferings teach, Oh Lord ! 
 How can I walk in sin, and still believe thy word ? 
 Since Christ, himself hath given, 
 To lift our souls to heaven, 
 Thou stubborn will ! 
 How can this heart of mine thv vain behests fulfil ? 
 
150 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 And oh ! my heart exclaims, 
 
 I would not choose but love 
 The brother who thy pitying claims ; 
 
 Whilst from above, 
 The merits of thy blood shall his redemption prove. 
 
 I will not for reproaches, render back 
 The angry word, 
 Since thou our Holy Head, in silence meek 
 The accuser heard. 
 A breast that's pure oh Lord ! 
 Is fruit of love like thine, 
 And God the Father gives us strength 
 
 That in thy name divine, 
 As subjects of thy cross, we in thy light should shine. 
 
 Oh everlasting bliss — Thou leadst us on 
 
 To perfect good, 
 Thou on the cross hast my salvation wrought 
 
 With thy own blood ; 
 Here I rejoice in faith — but yonder world 
 
 Above the skies, 
 
 Shall give a crown of glory and of life, 
 
 That never dies. 
 
 Gellert, 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 157 
 
 To be happy — fixedly happy — the soul must bathe in deeper 
 streams than those of earth — affiliation with God through his Son, 
 warmth of love, personal yet pure and distinct from cold abstraction, 
 are the healthiest nourishment of the soul. Men find this out with 
 but a short experience of the world, and the farther they go, the 
 farther they prove it ; and far and wide it reigns a general truth. 
 
 Whitmobe Winslow. 
 
 But though I was so much blessed, I was not conscious of any 
 merit, nor tempted to any suggestions of merit in myself. Indeed 
 I seemed to be so united with God, so made one with th 
 and sun of all good, that my thoughts did not easily turn upon 
 myself as a distinct object of reflection, and consequently, it would 
 not have been an easy tiling for me to attach to myself the ideas 
 of desert or merit. Lady Gnox. 
 
 A- the brazen serpent lifted up in the wilderness, when viewed 
 
 by the wounded Israelites, was the only means by which the poison 
 
 of the fiery serpents could be expelled, and health restored to their 
 
 tortured, dying bodies; so Jesus lifted up on the cross, when 
 
 beheld by the eye of faith, as bleeding and dying in our stead, is 
 
 the only way by which sin, tin- sting of death, can be extracted out 
 
 of our guilty, perishing souls ; the only antidote that can restore 
 
 us to saving health and eternal life. 
 
 J. Fletcher. 
 
 He has become man, and as man he has suffered for us — he 
 wbo was God, and ;i- (tod had that to pay which we had forfeited 
 and could not pay. Here is the only foundation of real peace for 
 everj heart which knows i(> own deep capacities of joy. and it- yel 
 deep need of purification and atonement. He has suffered, and 
 
158 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 therefore I am free. His humanity is my very ransom ; it stands 
 between me and my sin — between my sin and the just wrath of a 
 holy God. Again ; in this, to every faithful soul, is the best 
 assurance of the infinite compassion of the Lord. He who stooped 
 so low to save us, when we knew him not, will not, cannot leave us 
 to perish, when we seek his mercy. Here, again, is that which 
 assures us of our Saviour's sympathy amidst all the trials and 
 harassing perplexities of life. From the everlasting Son of the 
 eternal Father, clothed in majesty, robed in light unapproachable, 
 creating the universe, ruling over hosts of heaven, we seemed too 
 infinitely distant to count on sympathy : but on the virgin-born, 
 on the Son of David, or the man of sorrows, on the human nature 
 of our Lord, our wounded souls can rest their anguish, our tempted 
 souls can stay their weakness ; for he too was " perfected through 
 suffering," yea, he can be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, 
 having been in all points " tempted like as we are."' 
 
 Bishop Wilberforce. 
 
 Our Lord, however, continually informs us of the spontaneity of 
 his sufferings for us : I came, I am content, I delight to do thy will. 
 He gave himself: he laid down his own life : he showed that divine 
 alacrity in going to the sacrifice, which the heathen considered a 
 most propitious circumstance. If the victim was dragged reluc- 
 tantly to the altar, it was regarded by them as a bad omen. But 
 no victim, either human or animal, suffered so freely as the blessed 
 
 Saviour in this great transaction. 
 
 Robert Halt.. 
 
flniicBX^. 
 
 «> 
 
 "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have hone the wti. 
 if God. y"e might receive the promise." — Heb. x. 36. 
 
 There goes a noiseless angel forth, 
 Throughout this world helow ; 
 
 Commissioned to assuage the tide 
 Of every human woe ; 
 
 Commissioned high of God, is he 
 
 To work his gentle ministry. 
 
 D' 
 
 His eye with kind expressiveness, 
 
 Of sacred peace can tell ; 
 And grace and soft compassion, there 
 
 In sweet accordance dwell : — 
 Oh, follow him. with stedfast aim, 
 This angel — Patience is his name. 
 
 He leads thee on through life's rough paths, 
 
 A trusty guide and true — 
 He speaks, with joy's prophetic glance. 
 
 Of golden days in view, — 
 Art thou disheartened al the way? 
 His strength thy faltering steps shall stay ! 
 
100 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 He helps the Saviour's cross to bear, 
 And makes each present thing 
 
 A happy messenger of good, 
 With blessing on its wing ; 
 
 He softens sorrow's keenest smart, 
 
 And humbles the rebellious heart. 
 
 With certain touch thy wounds he heals- 
 But thou must wait his hour ! 
 
 He bears thy weakness, yet each pulse 
 Must feel his chastening power ; 
 
 Thy tears he chides not, but the while 
 
 His comforts shall thy woes beguile. 
 
 He makes thy dark and shadowy skies 
 Once more, as noontide clear; 
 
 And when the tempest in its rage 
 Disturbs thy atmosphere, 
 
 And murmuringly, thou askest why ? 
 
 Smiling, but mute, he points on high. 
 
 So does he journey at thy side — 
 He little loves to speak ; 
 
 He dwells where visions fair and high, 
 Around his spirit break : 
 
 That glorious bourne, those visions fair- 
 
 The crown of all his joys is there ! 
 
 Spitta. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 101 
 
 I saw moreover in my dream, that the Interpreter took him by 
 the hand, and had him into a little room where sat two children, 
 each one in his chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and 
 of the other Patience : Passion seemed to be much discontent, but 
 Patience was very quiet. * * * * Then said Christian to the 
 Interpreter, explain this matter more fully to me. So he said, 
 these two lads are figures, Passion, of the men of this world, and 
 Patience, of the men of that which is to come. For as thou seest, 
 Passion will have all now, this year, that is to say, in this world, 
 so are the men of this world : they must have all their good things 
 now, they cannot stay till next year, that is, until the next world, for 
 their portion of good. That proverb " A bird in the hand is 
 worth two in the bush," is of more authority with them, than 
 all the divine testimonies of the good of the world to come. But, 
 as thou sawest that he had quickly lavished all away, and had 
 presently left him nothing but rags ; so will it be with all such men 
 at the end of this world. Then said Christian, now I see that 
 Patience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts ; 
 because he stays for the best things ; and also because he will have 
 the glory of his, when the other has nothing but rags * * * 
 I perceive it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait 
 for things to come. 
 
 BUNYAN. 
 
 When we contrast our merits with our mercies, how mean are 
 the one, and how manifold are the other ; and when we compare 
 our sufferings with our enjoyments, it is to our reproach that a 
 word of repining should ever escape from our lips. Whatever may 
 be, afflicted christian, the weight of tliy trouble, it was not placed 
 upon thee without the knowledge of thy heavenly Father : submit 
 thyself to his almighty will. Bear thy cross now patiently, and 
 
 v 
 
162 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 after awhile thou shalt wear thy crown triumphantly. Take up thy 
 
 trial without murmuring, and thou shalt soon take up thy timhrel 
 
 with rejoicing, in agreement with the words of holy writ : " For our 
 
 light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far 
 
 more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 
 
 Old Humphrey. 
 

 "And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted 
 is, God with es." — Matt. i. 23. 
 
 Irumanuel ! Thy praise we sing ! 
 
 Of every grace Thyself the spring ! 
 
 Oh thou, the fairest flower of heaven ! 
 
 To Thee our votive song is given. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 Thou art the Prince of Life — and Thou 
 The Star that shines in morning's glow ; 
 Whilst yet to thee, the Lord of Lords, 
 Each heart a note of praise accords. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 To sing Thee, Lord ! with all Thy host, 
 Shall he our soul's unceasing hoast, 
 That Thou, oh long-expected Guest ! 
 Hast come at length, to make us hlest. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 Since first this wondrous world was made. 
 And deep its grand foundations laid ; 
 How many a heart has waked to Thee 
 Throughout Time's lengthened dynasty ! 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
164 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 How many a prophet, priest and seer 
 Has watched to see thy dawn appear ! — 
 But first amid the waiting band 
 Does Israel's King and Shepherd stand, 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 Who strung his psaltery's sweetest tone 
 To make its music all thy own ; 
 And Thou well-pleased, didst lend an ear 
 And deign his sacred strains to hear : 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 How Christ from Zion came, and broke 
 
 Our bondage, with its galling yoke, 
 
 And brought us help,which made the voice 
 
 Of Jacob's chartered sons rejoice. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 Now Thou art with us — and Thy head 
 
 In yon low manger finds a bed ; 
 
 Now thou art small, of low estate, 
 
 Yet all to make Thy people great. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 Thou, who didst clothe the worlds, we see 
 Revealed in unclothed infancy ; 
 To Thee a strange abode is given — 
 Whilst Thine is all the host of heaven. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 165 
 
 Exalted in Thy high renown, 
 
 Of angel bands the joy and crown ; 
 
 Behold Thee stoop — to make Thy rest 
 
 Upon an earthly mother's breast. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 Thou, the sweet Friend of man, didst find 
 Full many a foe in human-kind ; 
 Thy advent, Herod saw with fear, 
 Yet Thou didst bring salvation near. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 But I Thy humble servant, Lord ! 
 I speak with all my soul's accord, — 
 I love Thee, yet with not that heart 
 Which soon shall choose the better part. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 The will is mine, the power is weak. 
 
 Yet shall my faithful spirit seek 
 
 In grace accepted, to fulfil 
 
 As best she may, Thy holy will. 
 
 I lallelujah. 
 
 And though I am with sin replete, 
 
 And love not as to love were meet, 
 
 Yd therefore Thou to earth didst come, 
 
 'l'.i gather wandering sinners home. 
 
 Halleluiah. 
 
100 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Oh then, no more Thy face I'll dread, 
 
 Since all my doubts and fears are fled ; 
 
 Thou who didst bear the scorn, art He 
 
 Who trampled death in victory. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 And Thou dost hush our grief and pain 
 
 To waken Joy's exulting strain ; 
 
 Then glad hosannahs I will bring, 
 
 For ever more Thy praises sing, 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 
 And yonder, in those halls on high 
 Where reigns thy glorious majesty, 
 My voice with rapture's loftiest swell, 
 On boundless, countless themes shall dwell. 
 
 Hallelujah. 
 Paul Gerhaudt. 
 
 Not " Son of Man," but " Son of David," was the popular name 
 for the expected Messiah among the Jews. Others in the early 
 Church, and among the Reformers, have understood him to claim 
 by this title participation in the human nature. No doubt he 
 claimed this ; but he claimed much more ; he took this name (a 
 name already given him in the Old Testament, Dan. viii. 13,) as 
 he who alone realized the idea of man, — as the second Adam, who, 
 unlike the first, should maintain his position as the head and 
 r< pivsentative of the race, — as the one true and perfect flower 
 which had ever unfolded itself out of the root and stalk of 
 humanity. I!. ('. Trench. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 107 
 
 He, (the Son of God) cared not, that he must for a season, 
 abdicate the throne, and resign the government of the universe ; 
 that he must wrap up his conditions within the hounded sphere 
 of a creature ; that man's puny strength must he his measure ; 
 and man's penetrable and suffering frame, the continent of his 
 being ; that his spirit too, must take on human affections, and 
 his body be afflicted with human wants ; nor that hell and hell's 
 sovereign should be loosed against him, those of his own house- 
 hold become traitors, those he died for, his executioners, death, 
 his portion, and the grave, his abode. Nor did he care that 
 during the hottest of this fiery trial, his Father should cloud his 
 face and withdraw his countenance, and leave liini to tread the 
 winepress of sorrow alone, and roll his garment in his blood. 
 Oh what is this we speak of? Can it be that the Creator should 
 take the fashion of a creature, dwelling upon the ungrateful earth 
 he made, in want of a morsel of its bread, and a cup of its waters. 
 to satisfy his hunger and his parching thirst, calling upon the 
 creatures he formed and fed, for their charity, their pity, their 
 justice, and denied by the unnatural children whom his hand did 
 form ! Edward Irving. 
 
 Though he (the Messiah) was the Creator of men and angels, he 
 vouchsafed to be born of a woman, that we the wretched offspring 
 of degenerate Adam might be born again, born of God. Though 
 he had stretched forth the heavens, like a curtain, and bespangled 
 them with stars innumerable, he wrapped himself in the scanty, 
 fading garment of our flesh, and put on the veil of our miserable 
 humanity, that we might be invested with the glory and communi- 
 cable perfections of the divine nature. Though he was the Bang 
 of kings, and Lord of lords, he did not disdain to take upon him 
 the form ami office of a servant, thai we might be delivered from 
 
168 ECHOES OF ETEENITY. 
 
 the slavery of Satan, and that angels might he sent forth to minister 
 for us, who are the heirs of salvation. Though he was the 
 " fulness of him who fills all in all," he worked that we might not 
 work, toiled, that we might rest; and endured hunger and thirst, 
 that we might taste the hidden manna, eat the bread of life, and 
 drink with him the mystic wine of his Father's kingdom. 
 
 J. Fletcher. 
 
 had the Tetrarch, as he knew thy birth, 
 
 So known thy stock, he had not thought to paddle 
 In thy dear blood ; but prostrate on the earth, 
 Had veil'd his crown before thy royal cradle, 
 And laid the sceptre of his glory down, 
 And begged a heavenly for an earthly crown. 
 
 QUARLES. 
 
mis tmir fSmntt. 
 
 "so teach us to number our dats, that we may apply our hearts 
 unto wisdom." — Psalm xc. 12. 
 
 So pass our fleeting days — and this again 
 
 Is gone to join the transitory train ; 
 
 Whilst night, the comforter of those who mourn, 
 
 Is making to our homes a quick return. 
 
 But thou, oh Lord our God, and thou alone, 
 
 Art as thou wast — the great unchanging one ; 
 
 Thou slumherest not nor sleepest — but to thee 
 
 The shades that close us round — as purest lustres be. 
 
 Resigned to thee this night, myself I give, 
 Whom should I fear, since in thy life I live ; 
 Partaker of thy grace, no creature ill 
 Nor death himself, my soul with dread shall fill ; 
 And were this night my last — oh Lord ! I pray 
 Lead by thy might, to heaven's eternal day ! 
 In thee I live — and I am thine in death — 
 Redeemer, Lord ! be near, and help my latest breath ! 
 
 C. F. Neander. 
 
170 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Now, is the constant syllable ticking from the clock of time, 
 
 Now, is the watchword of the wise, Now, is on the banner of the 
 
 prudent. 
 Cherish thy to-day and prize it well, or ever it be gulphed into the 
 
 past; 
 Husband it, for who can promise, if it shall have a morrow ? 
 Behold, thou art, — it is enough ; that present care be thine ; 
 Leave thou the past to thy Redeemer, entrust the future to thy 
 
 Friend ; 
 But for to-day, child of man, tend thou charily the minutes, 
 The harvest of thy yesterday, the seed-corn of thy morrow. 
 
 Tupper. 
 
 With sense our conduct is at strife, 
 We squander Time, yet cling to Life 
 The rich material throw away, 
 Yet would not shorten Life one day. 
 
 With zeal, with energy sublime, 
 Mark how the Saviour valued Time ! 
 The work of centuiies appears, 
 Crowded within his three short years. 
 
 His great Salvation keep in view, 
 But look at his Example too ! 
 
 Hannah More. 
 
 Happy are they who hear and obey the voice of Jesus to-day, 
 while it is called to-day. To-morrow is uncertain. Death may be 
 at the door, and at death, our state will be determined for eternity. 
 
 John Newton. 
 
ECHOES OF ETEKNITY. 171 
 
 The next thirteen days, he appears to have been continually in 
 deep concern about the improvement of precious time ; and there 
 are many expressions of grief that he improved time no better ; 
 such as, " Oh what misery do I feel, when my thoughts rove after 
 vanity, I should be happy if always engaged for God ! O wretched 
 man that I am ! " &c. Speaks of his being pained with a sense of 
 his barrenness, perplexed with his wanderings, longing for deliver- 
 ance from the being of sin, mourning that time passed away, and 
 
 so little was done for God, &c. 
 
 Bbaineed. 
 
 How little can the life of any christian man be that disjointed, 
 unmeaning thing, which in our conduct Ave seem often to consider 
 it. It is indeed an undivided whole ; every hour has an influ- 
 ence on that which follows it; and the great result of all is but 
 the summing up of the influences which have filled our days. But 
 of this we lose sight, because we do not use these opportunities of 
 thought. Our minutes fly by us, and they seem to leave us for ever ; 
 and we forget that it is the very wonder of our lives, that leave us 
 they cannot; that even as they seem to pass, they cling to us ; 
 that they are taken up into our very selves, making us what they 
 have been, more fit or more unfit for that unseen Presence — for 
 
 that heavenly kingdom. 
 
 Bishop Wilberfor* e. 
 
" But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits 
 of them that slept." "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, 
 we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." — 1 cor. xv. 20, 49. 
 
 Rise again ! yes, thou shalt rise again, my dust 
 After a short rest ; 
 Then, immortal life shall he 
 Whose own hand created thee, 
 Upon thee hestow. 
 
 Praise ye the Lord. 
 
 Yes, to rise and hloom again, shall I be sown ; 
 Then the Lord of harvest goes, 
 And he doth his sheaves enclose 
 And gathers mortals in. 
 
 Praise be to God. 
 
 Day of thanks, thou day of joy's bright tear ! 
 
 Day of our God ! 
 When I have slept my sleep beneath the sod, 
 
 Thy call shall wake me up. 
 
 Then we shall be like those that dream, 
 
 And in gladness, 
 
 With the Saviour we shall go, 
 
 All his pure delights to know; 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 173 
 
 When each sadness 
 Weary pilgrims then shall find no more. 
 
 Now by the Redeemer led, 
 I into the holiest come, 
 
 In His kingdom 
 To possess the saint's bright home ; 
 To His glory whilst I raise 
 
 Notes of praise, 
 
 And behold His face unveiled. 
 
 Klopstock. 
 
 Perthes was a frequent and willing visitor at Klopstock's house, 
 till his death in 180:J. His funeral procession showed the respect 
 in which the people of Altona and Hamhurg held their fellow-citizen. 
 As the body was borne from the church to the grave, a chorus of 
 young girls sang " To rise again — yes, to rise again ! " It was 
 a moment of general emotion. Life of Perthes. 
 
 The earth b ars fruit in life and fruit in death — 
 
 A living world, avast necropolis, 
 
 Old fabled ground of Jupiter and Dis — 
 
 Humanity the ground which buddeth breath. 
 
 Whose beauty in purer spirit vanisheth, 
 
 And passeth in that change to higher bli>s. 
 
 The ripe tree drops its seed, which death's abyss 
 
 Taketh, and for new spring time nourisheth. 
 
 There is a common citizenship betw< 
 
 The dead and living — what they had, we have, 
 
 In tlii^ OUT band built city ; in that unseen, 
 
174 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Not made with hands, still live the good and brave, 
 There is no death — we do hut shift the scene, 
 To take up our new freedom in the grave. 
 
 Eagles. 
 
 Also Christ saith in the gospel, verily I say unto you, except 
 the wheat-corn fall into the ground and die, it hideth alone, but 
 if it die it bringeth forth much fruit. Here men may see by the 
 words of Christ that it behoved that he died in the flesh, and that 
 in his death was made the fruit of everlasting life for all them 
 that believe on him, as it is written — for as by Adam all die, even so 
 by Christ shall all live, and every man in his own order, for as one 
 clearness is in the sun, another in the moon, and a star in clear- 
 ness nothing in comparison to the sun, even so is the again rising 
 of the dead men, for we be sown in corruption, and shall rise again 
 incorruptible, we are sown in infirmity and shall rise again in 
 virtue, we are sown in natural bodies, and shall rise again spirit- 
 ual bodies. Wycliffe. 
 
 " God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh." He was 
 the portion of humanity, which like the first-fruits, was sanctified 
 upon the altar of Divine justice, by the acceptance of which the 
 whole mass was sanctified. The whole of that nature was morally 
 qualified to "be presented by faith to the Divine Being, an offering 
 and a sacrifice " of a sweet smelling savor." As by one man came 
 death, so by one man came also the resurrection of the dead. By 
 his resurrection he became the " first-fruits " of the human race. 
 By him our nature is purged from that moral disqualification which 
 would otherwise for ever have attached to it, but which is now 
 entirely removed in consequence of the Father's acceptance and 
 approbation of this Divine sacrifice and substitute. 
 
 Robert II all. 
 
elirito. 
 
 Wachet auf ! ruft uns die Stimme. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 To thee sweet sleep and rest ! 
 
 For from thy breast. 
 The woes of life that press earth's pilgrim down 
 Are past and gone : 
 
 See, on Time's border-land 
 
 'Tis thine to stand ; 
 When he whom no death conquers, in his hand 
 
 Taketh thy soul ; 
 And unto thee, freed spirit, unto thee, 
 
 Salvation comes ; — 
 Whilst thou before the throne dost praise triumphantly 
 
 To make thee blest 
 
 In holy rest, 
 The Saviour died as thou, 
 And now to thee a rich reward he gives 
 
 To crown thv brow. 
 
170 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 A VOICE. 
 
 Thou day of God art come — 
 When from this world 
 To thee I go, and make my spirit's home, 
 
 Thou Great I Am, 
 With thanks and praise and glory to thy name 
 ' Now in yonder blessed chorus, 
 
 To our God above, I sing, 
 For that Thou, Lord, unto judgment 
 Diddest not thy creature bring ; 
 
 Father ! Father ! 
 For he trusted in thy wing.' 
 
 CHOEUS. 
 
 Oh what light will then surround thee 
 In the burst of heavenly day; 
 
 All earth's shadows, 
 Earth's dark night is passed away ; 
 
 Be thou blessed ! 
 Twice amen, our spirits say. 
 Now softly rest 
 On Jesu's breast, 
 As he hath finished all for thee, 
 Jesus only 
 Makes thee clean from sin to be ; 
 
 Whilst the band of brethren come — 
 
 Heavenly convoy ! 
 To convey thee to thy home. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 177 
 
 A VOICE. 
 
 Celestial light 
 Surrounds me quite 
 And the glorious day I see, 
 
 Such as never 
 Day on earth illumined me : 
 Now on heavenly heights appear 
 
 Kind instructors, 
 Who shall teach my listening ear ; — 
 There they stand in clear display 
 
 To my spirit ; 
 Weep not ! theirs is bright array. 
 From light to light I soar — 
 
 Meanwhile the grave, 
 That garment which on earth I wore 
 Shall freely have ; 
 Its lawful prey that robe of dust shall be — 
 It did but fetter down and clog this spirit free. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Yes, let us weep thee from our joyful band 
 
 Severed and gone, 
 At loss of whom a copious flood of tears 
 
 Might well flow on : 
 They go to sow thy dust but thou shalt rise 
 
 With that bright beam, — 
 
 Go to thy rest ! the Lord shall give thee place 
 
 To dwell with Him, 
 
 2 * 
 
178 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 To rise again when that short day is done ; 
 Then mortal, shalt thou greet thy life's eternal sun ! 
 
 Klopstock. 
 
 The city of God is full of most noble citizen?, who are all sharers 
 
 of the same blessedness. Their conversation also, being with wise 
 
 and holy personages, shall much increase their joy. Every one 
 
 shall then rejoice as much in the felicity of another as in his own 
 
 ineffable joy. All these know God without error, behold him 
 
 without end, praise him without weariness, love him without 
 
 tediousness, and in his love, repose themselves in God. Besides all 
 
 this, the glory and greatness of the empjTean heaven and the lustre 
 
 of that celestial city shall infinitely delight the blessed citizens. 
 
 When a servant of God enters into heaven he shall be received with 
 
 divine music, all the blessed in heaven often repeating those words 
 
 in the gospel ; well done, good servant and true, because thou 
 
 hast been faithful in a few things, thou shalt be placed over much ; 
 
 enter into thy Master's joy. 
 
 Bishop Taylor. 
 
 According to his desire, most of the time that was spent with 
 him, was spent in praise ; and he would be still calling out, "more 
 praise still. Oh help me to praise him; I have done with prayer, 
 and all other ordinances ; I have almost done conversing with 
 mortals. I shall presently behold Christ himself, who died for me, 
 and washed me in his blood ; I shall, before a few hours are over, 
 be in eternity, singing the song of Moses, and the song of the 
 Lamb. I shall presently stand upon Mount Zion, with an innumer- 
 able company of angels, and the spirits of the just made perfect, 
 and Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant. I shall hear the 
 voice of much people, and be one amongst those who shall say, 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 170 
 
 Hallelujah ! salvation, glory, honour and power unto the Lord our 
 
 God; and again we shall say Hallelujah! And yet a little while, 
 
 and I shall sing unto the Lanih a song of praise, saying worthy art 
 
 thou to receive praise, who wast slain, and hast redeemed us to 
 
 God hy thy hlood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people 
 
 and nation ; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, 
 
 and we shall reign with thee for ever and ever." 
 
 John Janeway. 
 
 Were I to adopt the figurative language of Bunyan, I might 
 date this letter from the land of Beulah, of which I have been for 
 some weeks a happy inhabitant. The celestial city is full in view. 
 Its glories beam upon me, its breezes fan me, its odours are wafted 
 to me, its sounds strike upon my ears, and its spirit is breathed 
 into my heart. Nothing separates me from it but the river of 
 death, which now appears but as an insignificant rill that may be 
 crossed at a single step, whenever God shall give permission. The 
 Sun of righteousness has been gradually drawing nearer and nearer, 
 appearing larger and brighter as he approached, and now he fills 
 the whole hemisphere ; pouring forth a fiood of glory, in which 1 
 seem to fioat like an insect in the beams of the sun; exulting yet 
 almost trembling, while I gaze on this excessive brightness, and 
 wondering, with unutterable wonder, why God should deign thus 
 to shine upon a single worm. A single heart and a single tongue 
 seem altogether inadequate to my wants. I want a whole heart for 
 every separate emotion, and a whole tongue to express that emotion. 
 my sister, my sister, could you but know what awaits the Chris- 
 tian ; could you only know as much as 1 know, you could not 
 retrain from rejoicing, and even leaping for joy. Labours, trials, 
 troubles would be nothing; you would rejoice in afflictions, and 
 glory in tribulations ; and like Paul and Silas, sing God's praise 
 
 in the darkest night and the deepest dungeon. I>u. Patson. 
 
%wkt 
 
 A FRAGMENT. 
 Whence do thy holy well-springs bubbling rise 
 Sweet Light ? the fountain where, of thy primeval birth ? 
 Out of whose depths of waveless purity 
 Thy unquenched being conies ! — Say, dost thou gush 
 Forth from the gates of heaven — the creature thou 
 Of him the first-begotten Son of God ? 
 Art thou a breath of him originate, 
 Or of His throne art thou the reflex fair ? 
 Before Jehovah's word had poured thee forth. 
 The silent depths of space were mantled round 
 With night's deep shade. He spake, — when from the 
 
 heavens 
 In all its noiseless might poured forth a flood 
 That all the ancient realm of darkness made 
 Extinct and dead, engulphed in savage ire : 
 And now the host of stars exult with joy 
 And praise the Lord ! — there rose the fount of light. 
 
 F. A. Krfmmachek. 
 
 Let us contemplate that Divine Being, who raised — from nothing 
 raised this stupendous system of things; and supports — with his 
 word supports the magnificent frame. Who. t<> Bpeak in the 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 181 
 
 language of bis own spirit "openeth the eyelids of the morning, 
 
 and commandeth the day-spring to know its place." Commandeth 
 
 the light l»y its punctual and pleasing ministrations, to draw aside 
 
 the curtain of darkness, and discover the skies shining with glories, 
 
 and disclose the earth, blooming with beauties. 
 
 J. Harvey. 
 
 Teach me thy love to know, 
 
 That this new light which now I see, 
 May both the work and workman shew : 
 
 Then by a sunbeam I will climb to thee. 
 
 G. Herbert. 
 
 But what is light ? is it not a combination of different rays, — 
 the red, the orange, the yellow, the green, the blue, the indigo, and 
 the violet? Some would think, perhaps, that they could make 
 better light if they had the brilliant rays alone : but so think not 
 I ; I would have the due proportion of the sombre with the bright ; 
 and all in simultaneous motion : and then I think I should more 
 resemble both the created and the uncreated light. At all events, 
 this is my one ambition, to live with one Mary at my Saviour's 
 feet, listening to his words (whilst others are cumbered about the 
 world), and to die with the other Mary washing his feet with my 
 tears, and wiping them with the hairs of my head. 
 
 Charles Simeon. 
 
Ask not thou my soul's transgression, 
 Seek not thou my hidden grief : 
 
 For the living God, my spirit 
 
 Thirsteth, till it find relief. ' 
 
 "What though every earthly blessing 
 Bound me flows, my cup to fill ; 
 
 In his absence, poor and wretched 
 Roves my wandering spirit still . 
 
 Wealth and honours, pomp and pleasure, 
 Science, knowledge, beauty bright ; 
 
 None can fill my heart's deep yearnings, 
 None can yield my spirit, might. 
 
 Strength for living, loving, suffering, 
 Joy and courage when we die, 
 
 Hearts content and meek endurance, 
 Can the Lord of life supply. 
 
ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 183 
 
 Painted forms of heathen worship, 
 
 Gods that man's invention be, 
 Cannot soothe my spirit's anguish — 
 
 All their stamp is vanity. 
 
 Thought can never reach her summit. 
 
 Earth's ambition still must pall ; 
 What can fill the immortal being, 
 
 What but God, our all in all. 
 
 When, oh when shall I behold him, 
 
 And his face of glory see ; 
 Freed from earth's delusive shadows 
 
 All my trust in him shall be. 
 
 When, oh when shall I possess him, 
 
 Never more to leave his side, 
 Holding all the gifts and graces 
 
 Which his promise has supplied ; 
 
 When shall all his Spirit's fulness 
 
 Fit me in his courts to dwell, 
 When shall all my will be sated 
 
 In his will ineffable : 
 
 When shall each desire that woos me 
 
 In that one desire be lost, 
 To adorn his work and service, 
 
 And to make his praise my bo;ist. 
 
184 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 Well I know the heart's deep yearnings 
 
 Shall not endless torment give, — 
 He who gave this thirst for glory, 
 
 He shall bid us drink and live. 
 
 Spitta. 
 
 Keturn unto thy rest, my soul ; I feel this is the grand secret 
 for obtaining peace in a world of sin and sorrow. When the heart 
 turns away from the confusions and disturbances to which it is 
 continually exposed, and taking wing, flies to the bosom of God, 
 when the voice of Christ walking in the night on the troubled 
 waters, is heard — it is I, be not afraid; this is peace! And this, too, 
 is his own direction for obtaining it : — In the world, ye shall have 
 tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace. Be of good cheer ; I 
 have overcome the world. 
 
 Richard Cecil. 
 
 Let us beware of every thing which, under any promise, would 
 take us out of ourselves and separate us from God. At such 
 seasons let us even keep ourselves as free as may be from neces- 
 sary business ; let us strive to hush our spirits into silence, that 
 there may be nothing to intercept that voice which will speak to 
 us if we wait for it ; let us fear lest we be led to seek for any other 
 shelter of our spirits short of him their Lord, that so we may 
 find ourselves to be alone with him, that he may frame and 
 fashion us ; may mould our hearts as he will ; may purify, and 
 enlighten, and soften, and strengthen, and deepen them by his 
 presence in the cloud and mystery of sorrow. Let us remember 
 alway who is smiting us, nor dare to look at our griefs but in the 
 
echoes of eternity. 185 
 
 light of his presence ; lest looking at them alone, we be soured 
 by their sharpness, or become fretful, or dull, or even desperate, 
 and so reprobate. Let us cast ourselves upon the assurance of 
 his love, even though it bear the semblance of the flame-breath of 
 the furnace ; and walk humbly with him, lest we mar or hinder 
 the blessed purpose of his mercy towards us. 
 
 Bishop Wilbebfobce. 
 
 •! D 
 
©J£ SS0OT 
 
 
 Occidit omnigena venerandus laude Lutherus, 
 
 Qui Christum docuit non dubitante fide. 
 Ereptum deflet vero liunc Ecclesia luctu, 
 
 Cuius erat Doctor, verius imo pater. 
 Occidit Israel ju'sestans auriga Lutherus, 
 
 Quern mecum sanus lugeat omnis homo. 
 Nunc luctumq suum lachrymoso carmine prodat, 
 
 Hoc etenim orbatos, flere, dolere, decet. 
 
 Melancthon, 
 
('.-> 
 
 ft. Mmtm &rkx* 
 6 
 
 Luther, his sun is set ! meanwhile his name 
 Shall from the world, a lofty tribute claim, 
 He taught the doctrines of his Saviour Lord, 
 And with no doubting faith, proclaimed his word. 
 Luther is dead ! when see, the Church in tears 
 A mourner clad in sorrow's garb appears ! 
 She weeps her loved preceptor, now no more, 
 Honoured and dear, — a father's name he bore. 
 Fallen on the field this chariot-chieftain lies, 
 And all our Israel wails his obsequies ; 
 Then let us bathe in tears the muses' lay 
 And sound our loud lamentings to the day : 
 Yes, this becomes us well — to weep and mourn, 
 Whilst, orphans in our grief, we dress affection's urn. 
 
las |dgfc ilatt. 
 
 So scbliesst sicb denn des kleinen Tempels Thiir ; 
 Des Biiclileins Blatter sind zu Ende liier. 
 Anbetung Gottes, Wabrheit stand auf ihnen, 
 Die Liebe zu dem Retter, der erscbienen. 
 Leser, jetzt an dicb die ernste Frage : 
 Was stebt im Bucbe deiner Lebenstage ? 
 
 Die Blatter dieses Biichleins boren auf — 
 
 Wie viele Blatter bat dein Lebenslauf ? 
 
 Weisst du es nicbt? Dann weine beut um Frieden : 
 
 Im Blute Gottes wird er dir bescbieden. 
 
 Heisst die Bescbreibung deines Lebens, Siinde ? 
 
 So flieb zum Kreuz, dass dicb das Scbwert nicbt finde ! 
 
 Dann bat aucb stissen Harfenton dein Herz, 
 Unborbar steigen Lieder bimmehvarts ; 
 Dann auf des Lebens letztem Blatte stebet — 
 " Ja komm, Herr Jesu !" und die Seele gebet 
 Zum Temp el, wo die recbten Harfentone 
 Der Liebe klingen, bell, in ew'ger Scboiu'. 
 
 •Julius Kobner. 
 
.e Soalmo of 
 
 My son, if with that true devotion, which is acceptable 
 to the pure mind of God, thou art desirous of* paying" the 
 homage due to the name of Christ, — if thy mind is 
 practised to discern the grand source from which all 
 things proceed, and to mark that Almighty power which 
 sustains and governs the worlds ; — then ponder well 
 these venerable oracles attuned to the harp of the son of 
 Jesse, which of old sounded forth the true faith; — and 
 as Moses beheld the glory of God in the clefts of the 
 rock, so believe me, my son, shall it also be revealed to 
 thee in these sacred songs. Melancthon. 
 
 WitUmburg, 1500. 
 
 Ami now could the author natter himself that any one would take 
 half the pleasure in reading the following exposition, which he hath 
 taken in writing it, he would not fear the loss oi his labour. The 
 employment detached him from the hustle and hurry of life, the 
 din of politics and the noise of folly; vanity and vexation dew away 
 for a season, care and disquietude came not near his dwelling. He 
 arose, fresh as the morning to his task; the silence of the night 
 invited him to pursue it : and he c:m truh Bay thai food and rest 
 
10 ECHOES OF ETERNITY. 
 
 were not preferred before it. Every Psalm improved infinitely upon 
 
 his acquaintance with it, and no one gave him uneasiness hut the 
 
 last ; for then he grieved that his work was done. Happier hours 
 
 than those which have been spent on these mediations on the songs 
 
 of Sion, he never expects to see in this world. Very pleasantly did 
 
 they pass, and moved swiftly and smoothly along : for when thus 
 
 engaged he counted no time. They are gone, hut have left a relish 
 
 and a fragrance upon the mind, and the remembrance of them is 
 
 sweet. 
 
 Bishop Horne. 
 
 De tous les prophetes, celui qui nous est le plus connu, c'est 
 David, dont l'histoire nous est rapportee avec le plus de deve- 
 loppement. D'objet capital de la mission que David a re?ue de 
 Dieu, pour toutes les generations dans l'Eglise, c'est la compo- 
 sition des Psaumes. Voyez les prieres d'un David, les Psaumes, 
 des prieres qui ont ete capahles, non-seulement de le soutenir lui- 
 meme, mais qui sont comme les cent cinquante colonnes qui sou- 
 tiennent de generation en generation, et qui soutiendront jusqu'a 
 la fin du monde, toutes les generations du peuple de Dieu ! 
 
 Adolphe Monod. 
 

 GLIMPSES OF SUNLIGHT. 
 
 B A T H : 
 
 BINNS AND GOODWIN. 
 
 s 1. 1) B1 l II E I- N D N A N 1> A 1. L B K S B I. LESS 
 
AFFECTIONATELY 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO THE 
 
 M E M R Y 
 
 E 
 
 MY FATHER AND MOTHER 
 

 CONTEXTS 
 
 HYMN. " THY GEACE O LORD, ALONE CAN GIVE. 
 
 IT. 
 
 THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST. 
 
 III. 
 LORD, I WOULD LEAN MY HEART.' 
 
 IV. 
 •• HE KNOWETH OUR FRAME." 
 
 V. 
 "FATHER MY HEART WOULD FAINT AND SINK. 
 
 VI. 
 rHOUGHTS IN HOURS OF SORROW. 
 
 VII. 
 1111. "SONG IN THE WILDERNESS." 
 
 VIII. 
 
 •• J HE VOICE OF JESUS.' 
 

 CONTENTS. 
 
 IX. 
 " MY PRESENCE SHALL GO WITH THEE." 
 
 X. 
 
 CLOUDS IN SUMMER. 
 
 XL 
 
 DEATH OF FRIENDS. 
 
 XII. 
 
 TO MOURNERS. 
 
 XIII. 
 WORK, " WE WORK FOR ETERNITY." 
 
 XIV. 
 
 THE WATER OF LIFE. 
 
 XV. 
 SOLITUDE. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 '•THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM." 
 
 XVII. 
 
 PENSEES. 
 
 XVIII. 
 man's life. 
 
GLIMPSES OF SUNLIGHT 
 
 ^^ r • 
 
 I. 
 
 1pm. 
 
 Thy grace, Lord, alone can give 
 The strength whereby we seek to live : 
 
 Thy Spirit only cheer. 
 Then grant ns, Lord, our daily need, 
 And with Thy heavenly manna feed 
 
 Our souls for evermore. 
 
 Thy presence, then, will give us rest, 
 Thy peace reign constant in our breast — 
 
 Thy love be ever nigh: — 
 So shall we seek to serve Thee here. 
 And hope with Thee, our joy to share 
 
 Through all eternity. 
 
 
II. 
 
 %\t precious glrofr of Christ/' 
 W\% is it ftmm ? 
 
 i Pet. i, 18,10. The " precious blood oi Christ, our Lord, 
 
 Eph. i, ?. } 
 
 coi. i, 14. ) Almiffhtv to redeem, 
 
 Heb. ix, 28. 
 
 x, 12, 14. 
 
 2. Cor. v, 21. 
 1 John 3, o. 
 
 Once for each heart of man outpour'd, 
 A pure and living stream. 
 
 Eev. i, 5. 
 vii, 14. 
 
 Psa h nV.'' 1 Ami cleanses every stain 
 
 L 18. 
 
 Heb. x. 20, 22. 
 
 John xiv, (i. [ „ 
 
 Eph.ii,i8. ) Of access to obtain. 
 
 Acts iv, 12.' J 
 
 It washes every sin away 
 And cleanses every st 
 Shows us a new and living way 
 
 Rom. v, 9 ; hi, \ By it our souls are justified ; 
 Gai" li. 6. f. Of it we drink and live ; 
 
 Acts xiii, 30. / 
 
 John vi, 54. 55, 56. Our spirits bv it sanctified, 
 
 Heb. xiii, 12. I 
 
 i cor. i, 30. f Will joyful praises give. 
 
 Rev. v, 9 ; xv, 34 J J 1 & 
 
 coi. i, 20, Heb. \ To us it makes and speaks of peace : 
 neb. ix, 14. ) Our conscience, purg d from sin, 
 
 icor. ri, ii. Will from dead works and idols cease. 
 I'xo.xxivfs. } By " sprinkled blood " within. 
 
 >: 
 
GLIMPSES OF SUNLIGHT. 
 
 S^-* 11 .'. 1 ]; „-} By it the Saints each vict'ry won ; 
 
 Bom.vin,33, 3. f J J 
 
 i SJ^iS.ot. } B J ll we conquer still ; 
 
 1 'pi'thto. } B > r **> accepted in the Son, 
 PM.?, U i^°' 2 f "We wor k God's perfect will. 
 
 To those whose hearts by faith are pure. 
 
 Acts xv, 0. 
 
 i Pet. ii, r. Most precious is this blood, — 
 
 John x, 2-. 29. 
 Heb. vii, 25. 
 
 Which made our soul's redemption sure, 
 
 E P h - H ' 1! - And brought us nigh to God. 
 
III. 
 
 Ipm. 
 
 Loed, I would lean my heart 
 
 Firm upon Thee ; — 
 I would sin should depart. 
 
 Further from me. 
 
 Yea ! in Thy path I'd go 
 
 Onward to Thee ; 
 Where Thou my path dost show. 
 
 There he with me. 
 
 Where Thou my path hast made. 
 
 There be my guide ; 
 Why should I be afraid, 
 
 When by Thy side. 
 
 Conies, Lord, from Thee my woe ? 
 
 Still be thou near ; 
 Thou wilt ease each sorrow. 
 
 And bend Thine ear. 
 
GLIMPSES OF SUNLIGHT. 
 
 In every shade of life. 
 
 Still Thou wilt lend, 
 Aid for each hitter strife, 
 
 And he my friend. 
 
 •• What wouldst Thou have me do? 
 
 This make me know ; 
 And. with Thy chosen few. 
 
 Gladly I go. 
 
 And in the home above, 
 
 Ever with Thee : 
 Tell of Thy wondrous love 
 
 Shown unto me. 
 
IV. 
 
 lipm. 
 
 For he knoweth oun frame." — Psl. cm. 11. 
 
 Lord, my spirit turns to Thee 
 For strength, for peace, and purity. 
 
 My secret thoughts, Thine eye can see ; — 
 For Thou dost know my frame. 
 
 In weakness, grant me grace to pray ; 
 In sorrow, cheer my lonely way ; 
 In joy, give strength from day to day ; — 
 For Thou dost know my frame. 
 
 Thou knowest, Lord, my daily need, 
 Therefore, with heavenly manna feed ; 
 And, with Thy cheering presence, lead ; — 
 For Thou dost know my frame. 
 
 Thou seest what my faith can bear ; 
 Thou seest my need of constant prayer : 
 
 1 know, my God, that Thou dost hear ; — 
 
 For Thou dost know my frame. 
 
GLIMPSES OF SUNLIGH I . 
 
 Though darkness cloudeth o'er my way, 
 
 I need not fear, when I can pray : 
 Thy mercy brightens every day ; 
 
 And Thou dost know my frame. 
 
 Whatever trial Thou dost send. 
 Thy loving-kindness cannot end ; 
 And I will trust my heavenly friend ; — 
 For Thou dost know mv frame. 
 
 155 
 

 " Jfatljcr mj (part taotifo faint." 
 
 'Father, my heart would faint" and sink 
 Beneath that dreary weight of pain ; 
 
 Did not I, of Thy mercy, know 
 
 Thy Love can turn it to my gain. 
 
 My life would darker glide away, 
 
 Though cheer'd hy many a lovely gleam ; 
 Did not I, hy Thy teaching, know 
 
 The light Thy love can always beam. 
 
 Thus taught, thus cheer'd, my God, hy Thee, 
 Bright thoughts of peace my bosom fill : 
 
 I would, for Thee, bear every pain ; 
 And calmly how unto Thy will. 
 
 Then grant thy presence, O my God, 
 
 With grace and strength for every day : 
 
 Till safe within the eternal home, 
 All pain, all sorrow, pass away. 
 
 >: 
 
VI. 
 
 Oouqbts in flours of Sorroto. 
 
 Father ! whose wondrous mercy gilds 
 Each passing hour, each weighty grief; 
 
 Whose faithful love for ever wills 
 
 Each sorrow, and each sweet relief: — 
 
 Draw nigh unto my soul. — reveal 
 Thyself to me, as Love Divine ; 
 
 So all my sorrows soon shall heal. 
 
 In the sweet thought that Thou art mine. 
 
 Yea ! when my sorrows deepest seem, 
 
 Then Thou, who art my joy, draw near; 
 And hid Thy living Light to beam 
 
 Brightest when all is sad and drear. 
 
 Thus lighted by Thy cheering ray. 
 
 And soothed by Thy sympathy, 
 The "vale of Achors " lonely way. 
 Become a " door of Hope" to me. 
 
VII. 
 
 ®k "j&wjj in the SHBifittntess/ < 
 
 Hos. ii. 
 
 Oft bow'd to earth with low-born care, 
 Oft through some sharp temptation sore, 
 Yet in my heart I fain would soar, 
 
 To heaven and Thee. 
 
 When earth is desolate and dark, 
 Then upwards, like the rising lark, 
 Draw me within th' eternal ark, 
 
 To heaven and Thee. 
 
 Throughout my life, where'er thy way 
 May lead my feet, from day to day, 
 Suffer me not to go astray 
 
 From heaven and Thee. 
 
 But guide me, and instruct mine eye, 
 That where Thy leading I descry, 
 By faith, I may be ever nigh 
 
 To heaven ami Thee. 
 
VJJI. 
 
 3> Ooite of Mm. 
 
 Jesus ! 'twas on the stormy sea 
 Thy loving voiee first spoke to me, 
 And bid me cast away my fear, 
 To seek the heavenly refuge near. 
 
 Twas when I felt no other hand 
 Could save me from the dang'rons strand. 
 That voice of love first caught my ear, 
 And brought me to Thy bosom near. 
 
 'Twas when all other means had fail'd, 
 My wearied soul with doubts assail'd, 
 And longing for a shelt'ring rest, 
 Obey'd the call to seek Thy breast. 
 
 How great Thy saving love has been ! 
 My thankful soul on Thee would lean :- 
 Nor seek to leave Thy shelt'ring side. 
 For all the strife of human pride. 
 
(iLLMPSES OF SUNLIGHT. 
 
 Keep me, then Saviour, near to Thee, 
 E'en though a cross the method be ; 
 The storm which makes me closer cling, 
 Is blest, if Thee it nearer bring. 
 
 So shall Thy voice calm every storm, 
 And soothe my sorrows when I mourn ; 
 So shall it guide me, lest I stray, 
 And teach me, in the heavenward way ; 
 
 Till, in the peace which Thou hast given, 
 My wearied soul may rest in heaven ; 
 And there, for ever, thankful praise, 
 The love which guarded all my ways. 
 
IX. 
 
 "jrln presence shall do iuitb tliee, anb ji mill 
 gibe tbee rest/' 
 
 Exod. xxxni, 14. 
 
 How sweet to us Thy promise, Lord, 
 Which these few words convey ; 
 
 Our hearts, when founded on Thy word, 
 Shall find in Thee their stay. 
 
 Be with us in each fiery time, 
 Thy cheering presence give ; 
 
 So light in darkness still will shine, 
 And hope in death will live. 
 
 Be with us, and to us give rest, 
 Perfect, because from Thee ; 
 
 Our souls, in sweet confiding hlest, 
 In all, thy love can see. 
 
 Be with us, and, where'er we go, 
 Whisper this word of love : 
 
 All through the valley dark helow, 
 And in the light above. 
 
 •'Him are they glad because they are a( rest; and so He bringeth them uuto 
 the haven where they would be." — Ps. cvn. SO. Prayer-book Version. 
 
I® 
 
 X. 
 
 (£loubs in Summer. 
 
 Though clouds may veil my sunny sky. 
 
 Though sorrows throng my way. 
 I will upon thy mercy lie, 
 
 And " trust Thee, though Thou slay." 
 
 Is it not mercy to have bought 
 
 My soul with priceless blood ? 
 
 The wanderer so safely sought, 
 And reconcil'd to God ? 
 
 Is it not mercy to have giv'n, 
 
 Promise for ev'ry need ? 
 With peace on earth, and hopes for heav'n, 
 
 And living bread to feed ? 
 
 Then, wherefore thus cast down my soul, 
 
 By clouds athwart the sky ? 
 Wait, and away they yet shall roll, 
 
 Wait, and hope patiently. 
 
 
a 
 
 XL 
 
 Death of tfrmito. 
 
 How can we mourn departing friends ; 
 
 Their trials all are o'er ; 
 Their work is done, their strife now ends. 
 
 They leave their home no more. 
 
 Yet loving hearts will shrink the while 
 From that sad word " farewell : " 
 
 But hopes for future still beguile, 
 When faith can say. " 'tis well. " 
 
 "fis well for us, and well for them, 
 Their spirits know no pain ; 
 
 Safely they've reached th' eternal home, 
 The parted meet again. 
 
 Though sorrows henceforth seem our Lot, 
 
 li is not hopeless woe ; 
 We know our God forgets us not, 
 
 His faithful love we know. 
 
® 81 
 
 III. 
 
 ®.a % Panniers of the Victims iit fitter. 
 
 1857. 
 
 When the heart is faint with sadness. 
 
 And the hope is small and low ; 
 When there seemeth no more gladness 
 
 For the days spent here helow : 
 Sad and lonely sabhaths, breaking 
 
 Weary week-days, full of grief: 
 Then, in darkness, sunshine making, 
 
 Jesus' love brings sweet relief. 
 Here ! tried ones ! sweetly linger, 
 
 Though your hour of grief seems lon< 
 Jesu's love, God's guiding finger, 
 
 Yet shall be your thankful song. 
 Sad that sickness which oppresses 
 
 Weary hearts with " hope deferred ; " 
 Even though the heart confesses 
 
 Faith and hope in Israel's Lord. 
 Many ties are there which bind us 
 
 Suffering ones, with sorrow riven ; 
 Yet, wherever sorrow find us, 
 
 Strength to meet it will be given. 
 

 GLIMPSES OF SUNLIGHT. 
 
 Aye. and comfort, too, shall greet ye ; 
 
 Sympathizing hearts shall glow 
 (Though on earth they never meet ye) 
 
 With the story of your woe. 
 And God, the Comforter, shall come, 
 
 Soothing all your griefs to rest ; 
 Till within the eternal home 
 
 Joy shall satisfy each breast. 
 
 8 
 
m 
 
 XIII. 
 
 "* tan* for itmtitir." 
 
 "§o somttltiiig, k it sooit, toitjr all % mtg|t." 
 
 American Poet. 
 
 And thus the cry resounds 
 
 Through eveiy thoughtful breast ; 
 
 " Upwards," and " onwards " yet, 
 " For this is not thy rest." 
 
 "Do something," thou must work; 
 
 Else were no rest for thee, 
 The toils of earth will gain, 
 
 Rest in Eternity. 
 
 " Do something," do it soon ; 
 
 Time glideth quickly by : 
 Each busy hour we plan, 
 
 Points to Eternity. 
 
 " Do something," with thy might ; 
 
 Strength that will never die, 
 Must fit thy work to last 
 
 For all Eternity. 
 
 Ifi 
 
XIV. 
 "ffce ffiakt of fife." 
 
 Infinate Source of endless Life, 
 
 " My springs are all in Thee ; " 
 
 Lead Thou my spirit through the strife, 
 To quench its thirst in Thee. 
 
 Thou, with Thy loving voice, dost still 
 Call thirsting ones to Thee ; 
 
 " Come he that thirsts," " whoever will,' 
 " And let him drink of Me." 
 
 Abundantly Thou dost provide. 
 
 The living stream is free ; 
 And they who come are satisfied, 
 
 Because they drink of Thee. 
 
 My soul shall as a garden live, 
 Whose fountain never fails ; 
 
 Because the Lamb himself doth give 
 The water which avails. 
 
 "Ho! every one that thirsteth. come," 
 " The bride and spirit say ; " 
 
 "Let him that heareth, answer, Come," 
 For none are turned away. 
 
 
!@ 
 
 XV. 
 Sittibok. 
 
 Is it not solitude to linger on 
 
 In lonely thought, from day to day ; 
 
 To feel no kindred pulses beat, 
 
 Nor hear what kindred voices say ? 
 
 To love in thought, and love alone, — 
 And have no kindred feelings felt, 
 
 No kindling soul, no upward hope, 
 
 Mingling with thought, and mingling melt. 
 
 Oh ! this to me were mental pain 
 
 Of kind intenser, and more deep, 
 
 Than that which oftentimes will launch 
 The sufferer into death-like sleep. 
 
 An agonizing pain, soon gone, 
 
 Seems, to my mind, less hard to bear 
 Than lonely love, and lonely thought, 
 
 Without a 60?// to linger near. 
 
 »l 
 
GLIMPSES 01 SUNLIGHT. 
 
 Yet. can this solitude exist, 
 
 Or love be found in one alone ! 
 
 Do not the kindred spirits meet, 
 
 E'er from the hody they have flown? 
 
 I doubt not, many meet in heart. 
 
 "Who own no tie of kindred blood, 
 Nor meet they with each other's face. 
 
 Until they stand before their God. 
 
 Alone they seemed, yet they were one, 
 
 It needed not that they should meet. 
 
 For, in their love, and in their thought. 
 They met, each at the Saviour's feet. 
 
 Thus love on earth may seem alone, 
 And thoughts may seem to die : 
 
 But kindred spirits yet will meet. 
 For all eternity. 
 
155 
 
 XVI. 
 
 " %\ri\\p are not tojjat %g ttem." 
 
 " Psalm of Life." — Longfellow. 
 
 "Things are not what they seem ;" 
 
 Life's highest, holiest dream, 
 
 Is like a dream, in fleeting ; 
 
 While we the sorrows keeping, 
 
 Dream still they're what they seem ; 
 
 So love, with golden rays of light, 
 
 A moment makes earth seem more bright ; 
 
 And we rejoice, forgetfully ; 
 
 For shadows are where sunbeams lie. 
 
 "Things are not what they seem ;" 
 
 The dark clouds, which we deem 
 
 So fearful, full of woe, 
 
 May hold more than we know 
 
 Of brightness than we dream : 
 
 Breaking in blessings on our head, 
 
 With joys from forth their darkness dread, 
 
 Whilst we behold, forgetfully ; 
 
 For sunbeams are where shadows lie. 
 
XVII. 
 
 'Tis not in vain the flowers bloom ; 
 'Tis not in vain they hud and die ; 
 The death which seems to rob their tints. 
 And makes their haunts so desolate, 
 Is hut the changing of their life. 
 The heart which loves to look on flowers, 
 And greet them with their glad-ey'd smile, 
 Holds them when gone in mem'ry's clasp, 
 And feels they died to bloom again. 
 Is it not thus the mother sees 
 Her " monthling " bloom and die, while yet 
 Her heart in faith is glad. — to know- 
 It died on Earth, to bloom in Heaven ! 
 As fair and sweet as moss-rose bud. 
 Ir came to life, it smiled and died ; 
 Yrt deem not that it was in ruin ,- 
 [ts smile rejoiced the weary heart, 
 And dying, bid as hope to meel 
 Where love and beauty deathless live. 
 
m 
 
 XVJIT. 
 Iteit'u lift. 
 
 A creature of a clay, 
 
 Man fades away, 
 
 As fades a gleam of light, 
 
 Just for a moment bright, — 
 
 And then he dies. 
 
 So fade the flowers, — 
 
 So pass the hours, — 
 
 So fleets man's day of life, 
 
 With sunshine and with strife, — 
 
 And then he dies. 
 
 A mountain torrent flowing, — 
 
 A cloud with brightness glowing ; 
 
 A passing gleam, — 
 
 A fitful dream, — 
 
 And then he dies. 
 
 Oh well if lie, as moments speed, 
 Has sought to fill his greatest need ; 
 If quench'd his thirst, his soul made clean, 
 Wash'd in his Saviour's living stream, — 
 
 Before he dies. 
 

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