* THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 I A7 7* /a.<- / t« />«-» >-^ 
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS 
 
 iRRAMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHURCH CALENDAR. 
 
 SIR ARCHIBALD EDMONSTONE, BART. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 R. GRANT & SON, 54 PRINCES STREET. 
 LONDON: J. MASTERS. 
 
 MDCCCLVIII.
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Foue years ago I published a little volume, entitled 
 " Meditations in Verse for the Sundays and Holy- 
 days throughout the Year." It met with very 
 limited circulation ; in fact, is little known, except 
 among private friends. 
 
 In the present volume the former is embodied, 
 with considerable alterations and additions ; so 
 much so, as to constitute a new work ; and I have 
 accordingly attached to it a new title. To account 
 for the arrangement, which may seem to encroach 
 upon ground already so fully and nobly occupied, 
 I may simply say, that to poetry in the higher sense 
 of the word this little work makes no pretence what- 
 ever. A text is taken, with but one or two excep- 
 tions, from one of the New Testament services for 
 
 •
 
 IV PREFACE. 
 
 each Sunday and Holyday, and to that a " Devo- 
 tional Reflection" is appended; in metre, indeed, but 
 further than that would be both beside my object 
 and beyond my own powers. 
 
 Should the reader, on the days which the Church 
 directs to be kept holy, find his thoughts engaged 
 by a suitable subject, my object is gained.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 First Sunday in Advent, Paqe 1 
 
 Far spent the night, 'tis time, 'tis time. 
 St Andrew's Day, 3 
 
 Into the wide world's troubled ocean. 
 Second Sunday in Advent, 5 
 
 The trumpet sounds, its dreadful ciy. 
 Third Sunday in Advent, 7 
 
 Who is it walks the desert-bound. 
 Fourth Sunday in Advent, 9 
 
 And can man's low and grov'lling heart. 
 St Thomas's Day, 11 
 
 He saw, he touch' d, he handled, and believed. 
 Christmas Day, . . . 13 
 
 Nature's face is calm and still. 
 St Stephen's Day, 15 
 
 The stoutest breast may shrink and quail. 
 St John the Evangelist's Day, 17 
 
 Lord, what shall this man do ? What's that to thee. 
 Holy Innocents' Day, 19 
 
 Weep not thy lost ones, weep no more. 
 Sunday after Christmas Day, 21 
 
 The mother views with glad surprise. 
 The Circumcision of Christ, 23 
 
 Mysterious Name ! in Heaven proclaim'd. 
 The Epiphany, 25 
 
 The Gentile world a mantle deep.
 
 VI CONTENTS. 
 
 First Sunday after Epiphany, Page 27 
 
 The anxious mother searches round. 
 
 Second Sunday after Epiphany, 29 
 
 When first life opens to the gaze. 
 
 Third Sunday after Epiphany, 31 
 
 With puny might and wondrous art. 
 
 The Conversion of St Paul, 33 
 
 Breathing of slaughter, on he came. 
 
 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, 35 
 
 Why art thou fearful, if the form. 
 The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, commonly called 
 
 The Purification of St Mary the Virgin, ... 37 
 'Tis not until the Spirit's grace. 
 
 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, 39 
 
 The goodly seed the sower sow'd. 
 
 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, 41 
 
 The sun in his diurnal range. 
 
 Septuagesima Sunday, 43 
 
 Gird up thy loins, thy memhers train. 
 
 Sexagesima Sunday, 45 
 
 The Christian's voice is low and meek. 
 
 Quinquagesima Sunday, 47 
 
 When o'er the groaning earth rude tempests scour. 
 
 St Matthias' Day, 49 
 
 Come unto Me all ye whose course. 
 
 Ash Wednesday, 51 
 
 Mourn ye o'er the nation's sin. 
 First Sunday in Lent, ......•• 53 
 
 Man roams the desert wide and waste. 
 
 Second Sunday in Lent, 55 
 
 'Tis not to those of bearing high. 
 
 Third Sunday in Lent, 57 
 
 " Let there be light," God said, "and there was light." 
 
 Fourth Sunday in Lent, 59 
 
 Mourn, thou desolate and forsaken. 
 
 Fifth Sunday in Lent, 61 
 
 Death through creation's widest bound. 
 The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, . . .63 
 Favour'd of women ! first and best.
 
 CONTEXTS. VII 
 
 Palm Sunday, ........ Page 65 
 
 Daughter of Sion, lift thy voice. 
 Monday before Easter, 67 
 
 The Lord for Israel did prepare. 
 Tuesday before Easter, 69 
 
 Twice did our Saviour weep, since tears bedew. 
 Wednesday before Easter, . . . . . . .71 
 
 Of all the griefs our souls can prove. 
 Thursday before Easter, 73 
 
 " This is my Body, take and eat." 
 Good Friday, 75 
 
 Whence is that deep, that dreadful sound. 
 Easter Eve, 77 
 
 The Man of Sorrows grieves no more. 
 Easter Day, 79 
 
 day of days, thrice hallow' d day ! 
 
 Easter Monday, SI 
 
 Wondrous the thought. 
 Easter Tuesday, 84 
 
 'Tis not the raging storm without. 
 First Sunday after Easter, 86 
 
 0, to be born of God ! — to feel that this. 
 St Mark's Day, 88 
 
 Nurtured by a Father's hand. 
 Second Sunday after Easter, 90 
 
 How blest to think that there is One. 
 St Philip and St James's Day, ...... 92 
 
 Give me a course from danger free. 
 Third Sunday after Easter, 94 
 
 Weep and lament, your Lord ye seek. 
 Fourth Sunday after Easter, 96 
 
 Spirit of truth divine ! when first Thy ray. 
 Fifth Sunday after Easter, 98 
 
 1 float along a summer-tide. 
 
 Ascension Day, . 100 
 
 " A cloud received Him from their sight." 
 Sunday after Ascension Day, 102 
 
 " In vain, in vain ye heav'nward gaze." 
 Whit-Sunday, -104 
 
 Spirit of God, great source of light.
 
 FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 
 
 " The night is far spent, the day is at hand : let us therefore cast 
 off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of 
 light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day ; not in rioting and 
 drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife 
 and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." 
 —Romans, xiii. 12, 13, 14. 
 
 Far spent the night, 'tis time, 'tis time 
 To rouse thee to th' awakening chime ;- 
 Glimmers the dawn — lift up thine eyes 
 To see the glorious sun arise. 
 
 But not as erst, when, veil'd its light 
 Unto this earth's expectant sight, 
 It dimly gleam'd in lowly shed 
 Above a new-born Infant's head. 
 
 A
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Nor as still o'er this world of doom 
 It shrouds its face in cloud and gloom, 
 As if reluctant to disclose 
 The dark abyss of human woes. 
 
 Yet still the chariot- wheels draw near, 
 Tracking with streaks the redd'ning sphere ; 
 Nor think that He who holds the rein 
 Will long their onward course restrain. 
 
 Soon will it rise : — then ere 'tis day 
 Each work of dai-kness cast away, 
 And buckle round the armour sure 
 'Gainst dang'rous shaft and sinful lure. 
 
 Haste we the coming Judge to meet 
 With girded loins and winged feet ; 
 Thus shall we front that brow of flame, 
 Nor dread the penalty of shame.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST ANDREW'S DAY. 
 
 NOVEMBER 30. 
 
 ' Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon 
 called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting- a net into the 
 sea : for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow 
 me, and I will make you fishers of men." — St Matt. iv. 18, 19. 
 
 Into the wide world's troubled ocean 
 With vain toil our nets we cast ; 
 
 Amid its ever-restless motion 
 
 They never can the draught hold fast. 
 
 Hopeless search we for the treasure 
 
 Deeply cavern'd from our sight, 
 And little know we of the measure 
 
 Kept for those who seek it right. 
 
 Little think we how, close-hidden, 
 
 Like the mystic's vision-dream, 
 Hearts are waiting to be bidden — 
 
 Eyes to catch the light's first beam.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Fishers of men ! how high the calling 
 God intrusts to mortal care ; 
 
 Snatching souls, by sin's enthralling 
 Caught, from the destructive snare. 
 
 Heaven's wing'd messengers before ye 
 Speed to guide you to the spoil ; 
 
 Minist'ring spirits hover o'er ye, 
 Breathing life into your toil. 
 
 Bear ye, then, your sacred mission, 
 Spread your meshes far and wide ; 
 
 Millions rushing to perdition 
 
 Bescue from th' o'erwhelming tide !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 
 
 r And then shall the}' see the Son of man coming in a cloud with 
 power and great glory." — St Luke, xxi. 27. 
 
 The trumpet sounds, its dreadful cry 
 Eends the ocean, earth, and sky ; 
 Ev'ry region hears the call — 
 Quick and dead obey it all ! 
 
 Through high heaven's vault profound 
 Echoes wide that trumpet-sound : 
 Awe-struck, startled at the knell, 
 Groan the cavern-depths of hell. 
 
 Come, ye conquerors, ye whose feet 
 
 Were track'd in blood, your victor meet : 
 
 Ye proud enlight'ners of the age, 
 
 Come with your boast — your scoffs — your rage !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Come ye who sold your souls for pelf, 
 Seekers of pleasure — slaves of self! 
 No longer can the shelt'ring tomb 
 Shut close its bars — the clay is come. 
 
 And come ye humble, low and meek, 
 Naked and sorrowing, poor and weak. 
 Whether ye claim the Martyr's place, 
 Or trembling, shrinking, sue for grace, — 
 
 Come forth, come forth, the word is past ! 
 Your doom is fix'd, your fate is fast : 
 To you the worm that never dies ! 
 To you the glory of the sides !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 THIKD SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 
 
 " For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger 
 before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." — 
 St Matt. xi. 10. 
 
 Who is it walks the desert-bound, 
 With rohe of camel-hair girt round ; 
 With hrow austere, and flaming eye, 
 And awful look of mystery ? 
 
 Tis he, 'tis he, by prophets old 
 The Messenger to man foretold ; 
 To warn him that the time drew near, 
 The time of judgment, wrath, and fear. 
 
 The Baptist warns no more, but One 
 Of accents mild, and loving tone, 
 Now calls us in our heedless race 
 Beneath the wings of shelt'ring grace.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 And shall to us that voice speak loud, 
 And we still mingle with the crowd ? 
 Or softly pleading, yet in vain 
 Warn us to quit the giddy train ? 
 
 Can nought recall us from the way 
 In which bewilder'd thousands stray ? 
 Waken, Lord, the hopes and fears 
 Of doubting hearts and deafen'd ears ! 
 
 The beacon fires are clear and true — 
 
 The distant hills are plain in view — 
 
 Teach us to keep our footsteps straight 
 
 In the path which leads to that glorious gate !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FOUKTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 
 
 Rejoice in the Lord alway : and again I say, Rejoice." — Phil. iv. 4. 
 
 And can man's low and grov'lling heart, 
 His blinded eyes and falt'ring voice, 
 
 Can such receive the nobler part, 
 
 Can such mount upward and rejoice ? 
 
 Not in themselves — this earth can bring 
 No room for peace — no place of rest : 
 
 The bird will rise on weary wing 
 By rude hand driven from its nest. 
 
 Not in themselves — the weight of sin 
 Presses to earth th' enfeebled powers ; 
 
 And consciousness of guilt within 
 
 Tinges with gloom the brightest hours.
 
 10 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 We walk mid shadows dim and drear, 
 And downcast stumble through the way 
 
 Eaise we our eyes, in radiance clear 
 We view the unveil' d face of day. 
 
 Cast ye aside earth's chafing load, 
 Best upon Him your weal and woe ; 
 
 Then will ye find by life's rough road 
 How sweet the brooks of solace flow. 
 
 Kejoice ye in the Lord, 'tis He 
 Bids ev'ry plaint of sorrow cease ; 
 
 Dim to our sight the sign may be, 
 
 Yet He points up, and whispers peace.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 11 
 
 ST THOMAS'S DAY, 
 
 DECEMBER 21. 
 
 : Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed : blessed 
 are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." — St John, 
 xx. 29. 
 
 He saw, he toucli'd, lie handled, and believed ; 
 
 He thrust bis hand into His side, and then, 
 And not till then, the glad truth he received — 
 
 He would not trust unto another's ken. 
 
 For a time only did he stand aloof — 
 
 He doubted not what to his sense was brought ; 
 The gracious Saviour gave the ask'd-for proof, 
 
 And his rapt spirit th' inspiration caught. 
 
 Yet did he not the high award receive 
 Christ to confiding trustfulness imparts : 
 
 Blessed are ye who, seeing not, believe, 
 
 Ye that admit Him with undoubting hearts.
 
 12 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Blessed who mid the rough, rude storms of life 
 Pass fearless on with fix'd unflinching eye, 
 
 Who, steadfast midst the elemental strife, 
 
 Know, tho' His face be veil'd, His presence nigh. 
 
 Yet rarely thus, — Man proudly must assay, 
 Before he trusts ; with scrutinising skill 
 
 God's truth in reason's balance he must weigh, 
 Ere yet he yield him free His purpose to fulfil. 
 
 Faith, from heaven's high altar spark divine, 
 Cheer my chill soul and light my darken' d breast ; 
 
 Though yet I see not, make Him wholly mine, 
 My present hope, my everlasting rest !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 13 
 
 CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 DECEMBER 25. 
 
 And the angel said unto them, Fear not : for, behold, I bring 
 you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 
 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, 
 which is Christ the Lord." — St Luke, ii. 10, 11. 
 
 Nature's face is cairn and still, 
 Silence broods o'er lawn and hill, 
 Lock'd is the world in slumber deep, 
 Alone the shepherds watch their sheep. 
 
 Sudden bursts a radiant light, 
 The glory of the Lord shines bright ; 
 While thus an angel from on high 
 Proclaims the wondrous mystery. 
 
 " Fear not, to you great joy I bring, 
 In David's town is born your King : 
 His swathed limbs and royal head 
 Low cradled in a manger-bed.
 
 14 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 " Tell it through the bounds of space, 
 Pardon to man's guilty race : 
 Tell it that this wondrous Child 
 God to man hath reconciled." 
 
 Ages have pass'd, yet still the same 
 Glad tidings seraph quires proclaim : 
 Through ages yet to come the sound 
 Shall echo to earth's utmost bound. 
 
 " Hail to Him that rules the sky ! 
 Glory be to God on high ! 
 Hail to the more than mortal birth ! 
 Joy in heaven — peace on earth ! "
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 15 
 
 ST STEPHEN'S DAY. 
 
 DECEMBER 26. 
 
 : And when he had said this, he fell asleep." — ACTS, vii. 60. 
 
 The stoutest breast may shrink and quail, 
 The lip may quiver, cheek grow pale, 
 While pictured thought portrays in flame 
 The scorching limbs, the shrivell'd frame. 
 
 And shrink we may, for who can tell, 
 Ere it be tried, faith's potent spell ? 
 Who know if given the steadfast heart 
 T' endure in pangs the martyr's part ? 
 
 Yet doubt we not th' Omniscient mind 
 A duly portion 'd load doth bind, 
 Metes out to each th' allotted share, 
 The cup to drink, the pain to bear.
 
 16 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 What matter then this passing state, 
 If Christ's own hand adjusts the weight ; 
 The bitter scorn — th' averted face ; 
 The foul reproach — the keen disgrace ? 
 
 What matter all, if He still be 
 The partner in the agony ? 
 An angel's tear is sweeter bliss 
 Than sharp the pang of Judas' kiss. 
 
 Grant me with martyr- spirit, Lord, 
 To bear Thy cross, and do Thy word, 
 Faithful through life and death to be, 
 Then with blest Stephen sleep in Thee.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 17 
 
 ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S DAY. 
 
 DECEMBER 27. 
 
 : Follow thou me." — St John. xxi. 22. 
 
 " Lord, what shall this man do ? " " What's that 
 
 to thee, 
 If till I come he tarry ? Follow Me !" 
 
 Whether he found his place of rest 
 
 Keposing on his Master's breast, 
 
 Or scarm'd he with prophetic eye 
 
 The depths of wondrous mystery, — 
 
 Son of thunder, voice of love, 
 
 Eagle strength iu gentle dove, — 
 
 Whate'er of glorious words he caught 
 
 With inspiration rapt and fraught ; 
 Or glorious sights none else could bear to see — 
 All points with index-finger — " Follow Me ! "
 
 18 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 " Lord, what shall this man do ? " My soul, to thee 
 Still speaks the self-same warning, "Follow Me I" 
 Yes, follow Him, and thou shalt trace 
 How changed, how free, how light the race. 
 Thy spirit, erst how fierce and wild, 
 Shall seek Him as confiding child. 
 Thy love will burn with altar fire ; 
 With eagle wing thy thoughts aspire : 
 And as things present pass away, 
 And dawns the blush of brighter day, 
 Amid the noise and din of life set free, 
 One only voice will reach thee, " Follow Me !"
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 19 
 
 HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY. 
 
 DECEMBER 28. 
 
 " In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and 
 great mourning ; Rachel weeping for her children, and would 
 not be comforted, because they are not." — St Matt. ii. 18. 
 
 Weep not thy lost ones, weep no more 
 For those the tyrant's rage hath slain ; 
 
 They're wafted to a happier shore, 
 Beyond the reach of death and pain. 
 
 Fresh wash'd in their baptismal wave, 
 In martyr-blood their robes made white ; 
 
 They've pass'd the portals of the grave, 
 As sunbeams through the shroud of night. 
 
 Bome up on high on Seraph's wing, 
 Amidst expectant souls they wait, 
 
 What time in tuneful choir to sing 
 Around the throne in glorious state.
 
 20 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Of infant innocence the moan 
 
 As surely bursts the bands of death, 
 
 As doth the tortured martyr's groan 
 Triumphant win the victor's wreath. 
 
 Then weep no more : — from that blest seat 
 Where tears shall cease, o'er those bereft 
 
 They constant watch, in haste to meet 
 The mourners whom on earth they left. 
 
 Nor doubt we that they ceaseless pray 
 That where they are we soon may be — 
 
 Blest spirits, may that pray'r find way, — 
 May we with you God's glory see !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 21 
 
 SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, 
 and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being inter- 
 preted is, God with us." — St Matt. i. 23. 
 
 Tin: mother views -with glad surprise 
 The wondrous gift God's Spirit sent ; 
 O'er Him with awestruck rapture bent 
 As she His infant wants supplies. 
 
 And as she folds Him to her breast, 
 She looks, and smiles, then bows the knee, 
 Thanking that born He deign'd to be 
 Of one so lowly and so blest.* 
 
 The dearest boon e'er lent to earth 
 Never did gentler care enfold : 
 Yet it was love of human mould, 
 Albeit for more than human birth. 
 
 This stanza is taken from Taylor's " Life of Christ," sect. 3.
 
 22 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 For e'en a tenderer eye than thine, 
 Watches above that holy head ; 
 The slumbers of the manger-bed 
 Are lull'd by love yet more divine. 
 
 And 'tis that love which, from the faint 
 First breathings of our infant breath, 
 From morn to eve, through life and death, 
 Strong manhood's throbs, weak age's plaint, 
 
 Watches o'er us — our Father's love, 
 Like sacred dew on Hermon's mount, 
 Which, welling from th' eternal fount, 
 Flows down perennial from above.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 23 
 
 THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. 
 
 JANUARY 1. 
 
 "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of 
 the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of 
 the angel before he was conceived in the womb." — St Luke, 
 ii. 21. 
 
 Mysterious Name ! in Heaven proclaini'd 
 Ere yet disclosed in mortal birth ; 
 
 By angels round God's throne adored, 
 Before sent down to gladden earth. 
 
 The Name of JESUS ! at the sound 
 Creation bends the reverent knee ; 
 
 That Name which from corruption's bonds 
 Alone can set the creature free. 
 
 That Name, which once was breathed with fear, 
 
 In cavern-depth and secret cell, 
 To Martyrs dear — a badge of shame, 
 
 Edging the sharpest fangs of hell,
 
 24 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 From clime to clime, o'er land and sea, 
 Now echoes far like thunder-roar : — 
 
 Earth's wildest savage hears the sound, 
 Her proudest monarch bows before. 
 
 I, too, when new born at the font, 
 
 And wash'd from sin's primordial stain, 
 
 Received a name, my Christian badge, 
 Christ's warfare constant to maintain. 
 
 And fight I must, but of Thy Name, 
 Of Jesus, round me weave the spell ; 
 
 My limbs in Thine own armour brace, 
 I fight for heav'n, or yield to hell !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 25 
 
 THE EPIPHANY. 
 
 JANUARY 6. 
 
 Where is he that is bom King of the Jews ? for we have seen his 
 star in the east, and are come to worship him." — St Matt. 
 ii. 2. 
 
 The Gentile world a mantle deep 
 Of thickest darkness overspread ; 
 
 And the cold earth was wrapp'd in sleep, 
 Than death itself more chill and dread. 
 
 When in the East is seen a star 
 
 Piercing the gloom with radiance bright ; 
 And sages, watching from afar, 
 
 With wand'ring footsteps trace its light. 
 
 And now it stands high poised in air, 
 A glory gilds that lowly shed ; 
 
 Those infant hands a sceptre bear, 
 A crown bedecks that royal head.
 
 26 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Led by that star will myriads, fraught 
 With gifts of pray'r and praise, come in ; 
 
 From earth's far distant realms be brought, 
 The dark domain of death and sin. 
 
 Beneath that star shall swell the throng 
 Of Jew and Gentile, bond and free ; 
 
 One voice shall raise the triumph-song, 
 One common worship bend the knee. 
 
 Hasten, Lord, Thy reign of Grace ; 
 
 No more let idol-incense rise ; 
 Disperse the mists that dim Thy face ; 
 
 With Thy full glory light the skies !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 27 
 
 FIEST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 
 
 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me ? wist ye 
 not that I must be about my Father's business?" — St Luke, 
 ii. 49. 
 
 The anxious mother searches round ; 
 
 He whom she watch'd with sleepless care, 
 God's wondrous boon, is nowhere found, 
 
 His place alone is vacant there. 
 
 And if He could Himself conceal 
 
 For three days from his mother's side, 
 
 Why should we lost, despairing, feel, 
 H He awhile His presence hide ? 
 
 When the sun's beam dense clouds obscure, 
 Though Nature's face be drear and chill, 
 
 She doubts him not — she feels secure ; 
 Hidden, he lights and warms her still.
 
 28 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Never doth He who bore our woes, 
 The Man of Sorrows, come so near, 
 
 As when the spirit softly goes, 
 
 Mourning that voice it cannot hear. 
 
 Wait then His time ; in patience wait ; 
 
 He will disperse, how thick, the gloom ; 
 He darkens now thy pilgrim state, 
 
 To gild thy passage to the tomb. 
 
 His Father's business to perform 
 He left the bosom of His love ; 
 
 That business is, through life's dark storm, 
 To lead thee to thy rest above.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 29 
 
 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 
 
 Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine ; and when 
 men have well drunk, then that which is worse : but thou 
 hast kept the good wine until now." — St John, ii. 10. 
 
 When first life opens to the gaze, 
 
 And lights the scene with glad surprise, 
 
 The forms that flit in dazzling haze 
 Are grasp'd as youth's realities. 
 
 Rich to the taste the cup is quaff'd, 
 
 No doubt, no thought, of pall or change ; 
 
 Yet bitter dregs soon taint the draught, 
 And all we loved grows cold and strange. 
 
 The wealthiest store that earth can yield 
 Will fail us when we need it most ; 
 
 We labour in a barren field, 
 
 How great the toil, how dear the cost.
 
 30 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS, 
 
 But when He comes, an honour'd guest, 
 No measure stints the full supply ; 
 
 Ev'n for the last He keeps the best, 
 Which palls not from satiety. 
 
 The water-pots at His command 
 Brim over with the choicest wine ; 
 
 And souls, how low may run the sand, 
 Are quicken'd by the draught divine. 
 
 More bounteous still, in realms above, 
 He doth the marriage-feast prepare ; 
 
 And for His Church, the Bridegroom's love, 
 Fulness of joys hath treasured there.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 31 
 
 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 
 
 Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof.' 
 —St Matt. viii. 8. 
 
 With puny might and wondrous art 
 
 The insect spreads from strand to strand 
 
 The coral reef; its destined part 
 Instinctive framed to nature's hand. 
 
 But man, endued with reas'ning power, 
 Corrupts and mars God's high design ; 
 
 His proudest work, like Babel's tower, 
 Moulders beneath the wrath divine. 
 
 Yet as the moonbeams through the night 
 Shine softly o'er the ruin wild, 
 
 God's pitying mercy sheds a light 
 In souls sore-smitten and defiled.
 
 32 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 His gracious presence deigns to dwell, 
 The Lord of all, His creature's guest, 
 
 In those true hearts that love Him well 
 His Holy Spirit finds a rest. 
 
 And 0, in life's rough course, how sweet 
 To own His sacramental power ; 
 
 In our own breasts our God to meet, 
 To guide us through the darkest hour ! 
 
 Though sin may tempt, yet, free from stain, 
 To know no doubt, and fear no ill, 
 
 Though vex'd our frame with care and pain, 
 To feel His presence calm and still !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 THE CONVERSION OF ST PAUL. 
 
 JANUARY 25. 
 
 " And he said, Who art thou, Lord ? " — Acts, ix. 5. 
 
 Breathing of slaughter, on he came 
 With brow of wrath and eye of flame ; 
 Against the Nazarene his steel 
 Burning to quench its furious zeal. 
 
 As sweeps the flood's impetuous course 
 O'er brink and bourn with headlong force, 
 Onward he goes — when lo ! a light, 
 Excess of glory, dims his sight. 
 
 " Who art Thou, Lord ? "— " Yes, I am He 
 Whom yet thou nailest to the tree. 
 'Tis hard to strive 'gainst power divine ; 
 'Tis I who call thee — thou art Mine." 
 c
 
 34 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 And see him now, that man of fear, 
 The voice of love hath reach'd his ear ; 
 Dauntless through perils, preaching round 
 Earth's utmost climes the Gospel sound. 
 
 Thus when delusion's dark disguise 
 Deadens the heart and blinds the eyes, 
 And truth obscured, we fierce oppose, 
 Counting the wise and good as foes. 
 
 Then should a ray divine illume 
 Th' imprison'd spirit's cheerless gloom, 
 Who can speak the heav'n-sent glow ? — 
 God of Love, I know Thee now !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 35 
 
 FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY, 
 
 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, ye of little faith .' 
 Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea ; and there 
 was a great calm." — St Matt. viii. 26. 
 
 Why art thou fearful, if the form 
 
 Of evil o'er the Church hath cross'd ? 
 
 Why art thou faithless, though the storru 
 Hath burst upon her, tempest-toss'd ? 
 
 The angry billows rage and swell, 
 And to our sight He calmly sleeps ; 
 
 But o'er His own He loves so well 
 A careful guard He constant keeps. 
 
 Oft will the prop the mother snatch, 
 Her infant's strength of limb to try ; 
 
 While near she stands from harm to catch 
 With ready hand and watchful eye.
 
 36 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 No tempest-strife, no tumult-noise, 
 
 Disturbs the calm of Paradise ; 
 Thro' Heav'n's bright vaults will swell the voice 
 
 Of universal harmonies. 
 
 But, labouring in this world of sin, 
 0, who could hope a course of calm ? 
 
 Why doubt, then, that He rests within, 
 
 Though whiles He hide His skelt'ring arm, 
 
 To try her faith, her strength assay, 
 Till she her destined course fulfil ? 
 
 Then will He bid the tempest stay, 
 The waves sink down, and all be still.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 37 
 
 THE 
 
 PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE, 
 
 COMMONLY CALLED THE 
 
 PURIFICATION OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN. 
 
 FEBRUARY 2. 
 
 " And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple.' 
 
 — Malachi, iii. 2. 
 
 'Tis not until the Spirit's grace 
 
 Hath touch'd the heart and clear'd the eye, 
 That through earth's shadows we can trace 
 
 The beams that radiate from on high. 
 
 The mirage o'er the distant sand 
 
 Gleams, and we seek the cooling tide, 
 
 Vainly, as Israel sought the land, 
 Till led by God to Jordan's side.
 
 38 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Vain we the sacred heights explore — 
 We want a guide the way to clear ; 
 
 Until Truth spread the chart before, 
 Over the deep we trackless steer. 
 
 Thus, from the common ken conceal'd, 
 The aged prophet knew the sign ; 
 
 Saw in that holy Babe reveal'd 
 The stamp of origin divine. 
 
 And as he in the temple found, 
 In patience waiting for the time, 
 
 Him who would bear salvation's sound 
 To the far Gentile's utmost clime ; 
 
 So when, with firm and trusting mind, 
 Before His shrine we bend the knee, 
 
 His saving power sure we find — 
 His presence in His temple see.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 39 
 
 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 
 
 Let both grow together until the harvest : and in the time of 
 harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the 
 tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them : but gather the 
 wheat into my barn." — St Matt. xiii. 30. 
 
 The goodly seed the sower sow'd, 
 And round the field the fences fix'd ; 
 
 But the foe found by stealth his road, 
 And with the wheat his vile tares mix'd. 
 
 The noxious herb will flaunting grow 
 
 'Midst plants best cultured, choice, and rare, 
 
 And oft the fairest flow'rets blow 
 
 In spots where man would waste his care. 
 
 All here is mix'd ; in this world's mart, 
 Crowded and jostling, side by side, 
 
 Mammon or God — each takes his part ; 
 While no mark'd lines the realms divide.
 
 40 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 If, then, the Church's holy bound 
 Encloses now both good and ill, 
 
 Confused until, the number found, 
 The harvest shall His garner fill ; 
 
 Vex not thyself, nor be disinay'd, 
 Though Babel's voices rage within ; 
 
 He waits, though long it seem delay'd, 
 To clear His Church from strife and sin. 
 
 He waits, but come He will, the wheat 
 To gather in His barn with care ; 
 
 The tares in heaps, beneath His feet 
 Bound up, in flames to perish there.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 41 
 
 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 
 
 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven : and 
 then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall 
 see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power 
 and great glory." — St Matt. xxiv. 30. 
 
 The sun in his diumal range, 
 The seasons in their constant change, 
 The sky illumed with radiance bright, 
 The earth in smiling verdure dight, — 
 
 All seem to thoughtless man to say, 
 " To-morrow shall be as to-day ; 
 The same fix'd round, below, on high, 
 "Will roll on through eternity." 
 
 So we may think — yet come it will, 
 The term to this world's good and ill ; 
 When robed in clouds, and deck'd with fear, 
 The Judge of mankind shall appear.
 
 12 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 The earth shall shriek with wild surprise, 
 The stars fall lightless from the skies ; 
 No past, no future — time is o'er ; — 
 What is shall last for evermore. 
 
 Oh ! who can speak that dreadful hour 
 When Christ shall stand in unveil'd power ? 
 When, hoping, fearing, trembling, all 
 Before His judgment-seat shall fall ? 
 
 Prepare, then, ere the time be past ; 
 Prepare ye while the day yet last ; 
 Delay not, lest the word be given ; 
 E'en now decide for hell or heaven.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 43 
 
 SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 
 
 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one re- 
 ceiveth the prize ? So run, that ye may obtain."—! COR. ix. 14. 
 
 Gird up thy loins, thy members train, 
 Thy limbs with vigour firmly brace ; 
 
 The course is one of toil and pain — 
 The way is rough, and long the race. 
 
 Yet 'tis a race that must be run — 
 
 Death hangs upon the ling'rer's rear — 
 
 Ere sinketh down thine ev'ning sun, 
 Ere yet the dews of night appear. 
 
 The everlasting hills afar, 
 
 The thrones where sit the seraph-host, 
 Like glimmering of the beacon star, 
 
 Which first is seen and last is lost,
 
 44 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Point to the bourn. The eagle's flight 
 
 Mounts heavenward ere he seeks his nest ; 
 
 Our eyes must catch the portal bright 
 Before they close in death's calm rest. 
 
 But, 0, how many idle play, 
 
 In folly waste their precious prime ! 
 
 Nor watch the warning of the day — 
 The close of their allotted time. 
 
 Then fix'd before thee keep, my soul, 
 The term where all thy labours tend ; 
 
 Press steadfast forward to the goal, 
 
 Press on ! — thou shalt not miss thine end.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 45 
 
 SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 
 
 " If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern 
 mine infirmities." — 2 C'OR. si. 30. 
 
 The Christian's voice is low and meek — 
 The Christian's strength is faint and weak ; 
 Yet that meek voice to heav'n will rise — 
 That feeble strength may win the skies. 
 
 For voice and strength are not his own — 
 They issue from God's grace alone ; 
 That grace the falt'ring tongue sets free, 
 And breathes a living energy. 
 
 Man boasts his powers, but God could bring 
 The giant low by David's sling ; 
 And time's most honour'd structures fall 
 From infant sport or revel brawl.
 
 46 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 The foremost of the warrior band, 
 Who bore the cross o'er sea and land — 
 The first in perils, toils, and woes, 
 Midst stripes, and deaths, and fiercest foes- 
 He glories not in pains endured, 
 In Satan foil'd, or souls secured ; 
 One only theme his boast supplies — 
 He glories in infirmities. 
 
 Teach us, Lord, our strength to place 
 Alone in Thy supporting grace ; 
 To find our all on Thee depend — 
 Our Staff, our Guardian, and our Friend.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 47 
 
 QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 
 
 " And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three ; but the 
 greatest of these is charity." — 1 Cor. xiii. 13. 
 
 When o'er the groaning earth rude tempests scour, 
 And man's tumultuous passions rage and swell, 
 We think of God as girt with vengeful power, 
 Scarce venturing on His loving care to dwell. 
 
 We see the direful curse which sin hath wrought. 
 And hear God speaking with a voice of dread ; 
 But hardly deem that love divine hath brought 
 The thunder-cloud now threat'ning o'er our head. 
 
 Yet God, though veil'd in mystery, is Love, 
 And ministers of love surround His throne ; 
 And love flows down perennial from above, 
 The waters springing from that fount alone.
 
 48 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Love is the link connecting earth with heaven, 
 Thence binding man's whole race in sacred band ; 
 In vain were life to loveless spirits given — 
 Exist they could not on a barren strand. 
 
 Could one bright ray of love those depths illume, 
 Which nought can reach but groans, and tears, and 
 
 woe, 
 Hope yet would pierce th' impenetrable gloom, 
 Through the dark realm of death the life-stream flow. 
 
 And love, amid the wreck of worlds shall last — 
 When stars withdraw their light, shall stand secure ; 
 When into sight both Faith and Hope have past, 
 In Heav'n's high courts shall Charity endure.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 49 
 
 ST MATTHIAS' DAY. 
 
 FEBRUARY 24. 
 
 : Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will 
 give you rest." — St Matt. xi. 28. 
 
 Come unto Me all ye whose course 
 Lies along life's rude, rugged way ; 
 
 Come unto Me, all ye whose force 
 Is spent, and I will be your stay. 
 
 All ye who labour and who mourn, 
 By sin defiled, and sore distrest ; 
 
 Bereaved, forsaken, and forlorn, 
 Come unto Me, and find your rest. 
 
 Whether on you the lot doth fall, 
 With the Apostle, far and wide 
 
 To bear My message — or thy call 
 Leadeth along the plain roadside — 
 
 D
 
 50 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Come unto Me. This earth may hold 
 A dazzling mask and smiling face ; 
 
 Its welcome is the serpent's fold — 
 
 Its warmest cheer death's cold embrace. 
 
 Easy My burden, light My yoke — 
 On Me your wasting cares repose ; 
 
 For you I bore the smiter's stroke, 
 
 To heal your griefs and soothe your woes. 
 
 Then freely come — here peace I give, 
 The world nor gives nor takes away ; 
 
 Hereafter, gloriously to live 
 In presence of eternal day.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 51 
 
 ASH WEDNESDAY. 
 
 •Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast. . . . Let the 
 priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch 
 and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, Lord." — 
 Joel, ii. 15. 
 
 Mourn ye o'er the nation's sin — 
 Mourn His temple courts within ; 
 Priests and people, own the rod — 
 Weeping, bow before your God. 
 
 Queen of waters, veil tlry pride, 
 Boast not of thy commerce wide — 
 That the sun doth never set 
 On thy jewell'd coronet ; 
 
 Boast not that thine ensigns tower, 
 Boast not that thy foemen cower — 
 Mourn and weep that thou canst bring 
 No pure incense to thy King.
 
 52 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 All thy treasured gold is dross, 
 All thy store is empty loss ; 
 Mammon reigns where God should dwell, 
 As fiends haunt the hermit's cell. 
 
 Church, our Mother, fast and pray, 
 If thou judgment may delay ! 
 Princes, priests, and people all, 
 Low before His footstool fall ! 
 
 Lenten time will soon pass by — 
 Catch the moments as they fly ; 
 Fasting, praying, draw ye near — 
 He is present, He will hear.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTION'S. 53 
 
 FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. 
 
 " Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be 
 tempted of the devil." — St Matt. iv. 1. 
 
 Man roams the desert wide and waste, 
 Seeking for rest and finding none ; 
 
 Feeding on husks which mock the taste, 
 From bitter seed the world has sown. 
 
 And then the devil's false deceit 
 
 With fruit fair-seeming tempts the eyes, 
 
 And strives our aching souls to meet 
 With phantoms clothed in fair disguise. 
 
 He bears us to the temple's height, 
 And puffs the spirit's swelling pride ; 
 
 Or sho-ft's earth's prospect of delight, 
 Where streams of pleasure softly glide.
 
 54 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 He points to honour, wealth, and gain, 
 To glory, through the dazzling haze ; 
 
 Well if the charmer charm in vain — 
 Well if we turn us from the gaze. 
 
 For He, too, faced the tempter's power, 
 And triumph'd o'er each varied lure, 
 
 To fit us for temptation's hour, 
 And prove before the armour sure. 
 
 And as administ'ring spirits came, 
 The conflict o'er, in bright array ; 
 
 Eesist we to the end, the same 
 
 Thro' death's dark hour will be our stay.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 00 
 
 SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. 
 
 woman, great is thy faith : be it unto thee even as thou wilt. 
 
 — St Matt. xv. 28. 
 
 'Tis not to those of bearing high, 
 
 Of lofty mien and flaunting eye — 
 
 'Tis not to those who stand aside 
 
 From the mean crowd with swelling pride ; 
 
 'Tis to the humble and the meek, 
 Whose falt'ring voice scarce dares to speak — 
 Who gather up, through pain and thrall, 
 The crumbs that from His table fall. 
 
 Faith can assuage the torturing flame 
 When the soul writhes with conscious shame, 
 And open Hope's fair visions bright 
 In the calm watches of the night.
 
 56 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Faith points, beside the suff 'rer's bed, 
 To His pierced limbs and bleeding head, 
 And martyr-spirits wafts on high, 
 Triumphant in their agony. 
 
 Saviour, Who once with precious cost 
 Didst come, Thy scatter'd sheep and lost 
 To gather in, that Thou mightst hold 
 Thine own enclosed within Thy fold, — 
 
 la faith I turn, though far and wide 
 My steps have wander' d from Thy side ; — 
 Like Noah's dove, o'er land and sea 
 I find no resting-place but Thee.
 
 DEVOTIONAL EEFLECTIOXS. 57 
 
 THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. 
 
 " Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the 
 dead, and Christ shall give thee light."— Ephes. v. 14. 
 
 " Let there be light," God said, " and there was 
 
 light." 
 O'er the dark void celestial radiance broke ; 
 The reign dispersed of universal night, 
 As into life a new creation woke. 
 
 And glorious was that waking ; not a cloud 
 Lower'd o'er the surface — not a spot nor stain 
 Defaced its loveliness : the stars aloud 
 Sung forth, and sphere from sphere took up the strain. 
 
 But soon, too soon, around the new-born world, 
 Fresh from God's hand a deep'ning darkness spread; 
 Th' angel of death his banner wide unfurl'd, 
 As o'er God's imasre sin defilement shed.
 
 58 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Yet light again broke forth with, brighter ray 
 Even than did first the dread abyss illume ; 
 More glorious burst the renovated day, 
 As He pierced through the barriers of the tomb. 
 
 Again breaks forth the choral voice on high — 
 Again with shouts of joy Heav'n's vaults resound : 
 His power unbars the portals of the sky ; — 
 Again to those who seek, the way is found. 
 
 Wake then, ye slumb'rers — from the dead arise, 
 Nor hopeless sink into eternal night : 
 Disperse the veil that shrouds your darken'd eyes,- 
 Awake, arise, and Christ will give you light.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 59 
 
 FOURTH SUNDAY IX LENT. 
 
 For this Agar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jeru- 
 salem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But 
 Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." 
 —Gal. iv. 25, 26. 
 
 Mourn, thou desolate and forsaken — 
 Mourn o'er thy departed pride ; 
 
 Thy shrine defiled, thy children taken 
 From their weeping mother's side. 
 
 Once in proud dominion tow'ring, 
 God's own people's favour'd seat ; 
 
 Now in chains, and prostrate cowering, 
 Trodden down by Moslem feet. 
 
 On thy walls the crescent gleaming 
 Speaks of vengeance yet unpaid ; 
 
 Thousands of that land still dreaming 
 Where their fathers' bones are laid.
 
 60 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Sion now in bondage groaning, 
 So God's word declared of old ; 
 
 Sion glorious, and atoning 
 
 For her sin, the same foretold. 
 
 Sion from on high descending, 
 
 Shall her crest once more upraise ; 
 
 With her thousand voices blending 
 In one unison of praise. 
 
 Hasten, Lord, this bright appearing ; 
 
 Listen to Thy saints' " How long? " 
 Distant signs, methinks, are nearing — 
 
 Clear, though faint, the triumph-song !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 61 
 
 FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. 
 
 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall 
 never see death." — St Joh>", viii. 51. 
 
 Death through creation's widest bound 
 Eeigns uncontroll'd and free ; 
 
 Like lion ravening around 
 In lawless sovereignty. 
 
 Those hillocks, as we heedless pass, 
 
 Or tears of memory shed, 
 Tell but one tale — how soon the grass 
 
 Shall grow above our head. 
 
 Form'd from the dust, to dust again 
 Our mould'ring frames decay ; 
 
 Life but begins to end, — in vain 
 We look beyond the day.
 
 62 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 So Nature speaks : yet thro' death's gloom 
 We pass as through the night ; 
 
 The darken' d portals of the tomb 
 Open to glorious light. 
 
 For they who, list'ning to His call, 
 
 "With faithful hearts obey, 
 Are loosed for ever from the thrall ; 
 
 Death's power hath past away. 
 
 Joint victors with their conqu'ring Lord, 
 
 Fearless the foe they meet, 
 And hymn, with jubilant accord, 
 
 " Death cast down from his seat."
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 63 
 
 THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED 
 VIEGIN MARY. 
 
 MARCH 25. 
 
 " Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also." 
 
 — St Luke, ii. 35. 
 
 Favour'd of women ! first and best, 
 Honour and love are due to thee ; 
 
 Mother of God,* I hail thee blest 5 
 But oh ! I dare not bend the knee. 
 
 I dare not ask thee to the ear 
 
 Of thy dear Son my plaint to bear ; 
 
 I cannot feel thy presence near 
 
 Whene'er I raise the suppliant pray'r. 
 
 * Catholic truth is not upheld by refusing to the Blessed Virgin 
 the title given to her in early times, for the express purpose of main- 
 taining that truth. But it is fearful to think how in these later 
 days the " Theotokos " has been converted into the Queen of 
 Heaven, our mediatrix with the one Mediator between God and 
 man. The dogma of the "Immaculate Conception," which the
 
 64 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 I know not what thy soul may feel, 
 Expectant in the realms of bliss ; 
 
 But, mindful of man's woe and weal, 
 If thou regard a world like this, 
 
 The sword which pierced thy bosom through, 
 When at the Cross thou mourning bow'd, 
 
 Must sharper pierce when thou dost view 
 The worship of the infatuate crowd ; 
 
 Incense before thine altars raised ; 
 
 Pray'r due to God to thee outpour'd ; 
 With more than God's own honour praised, 
 
 As Queen of heav'n and earth adored. 
 
 How long, Lord, how long, defied, 
 
 Wilt Thou a rival worship see ? 
 Will man Thy glory darker hide 
 
 In the last day's iniquity ? 
 
 Roman Church has lately announced as a new article of faith, in 
 such a jubilant tone of triumph, merely carries into effect that 
 "cultus," or deification of the Blessed Virgin, for which "The 
 Glories of Mary " by Liguori, " The Month of Mary " by Muzzarelli, 
 and other similar devotional works, have long been preparing the 
 way.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 65 
 
 PALM SUNDAY. 
 
 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way ; 
 others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in 
 the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that fol- 
 lowed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David ! Blessed is 
 he that cometh in the name of the Lord ! Hosanna in the 
 highest." — St Matt. xxi. 8, 9. 
 
 Daughter of Sion, lift thy voice, 
 King David's Son proclaim ; 
 
 Daughter of Sion, high rejoice : 
 Hosanna to His Name ! 
 
 Hosanna to that Name which rings 
 From sphere to sphere resounding ; 
 
 Before which Name Creation flings 
 Her stores of wealth abounding. 
 
 Though meekly riding on an ass, 
 He comes, in humble guise, 
 
 He comes to break the gates of brass, 
 O'er death triumphant rise.
 
 66 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Thy garments spread beneath His feet ; 
 
 The victor palm-branch bear ; 
 Invisible hosts the cry repeat, 
 
 " His glorious way prepare." 
 
 Daughter of Sion, raise thy voice, 
 Thy monarch's advent cheering ; 
 
 Daughter of Sion, loud rejoice, 
 King David's Son is nearing. 
 
 For wert thou silent, from the ground 
 The very stones would sing : 
 
 " O'er Satan vanquish'd, sin fast bound, 
 Hosannas to our King ! "
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 67 
 
 MONDAY BEFORE EASTER. 
 
 " In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence 
 saved them : in his love and in his pity he redeemed them ; and 
 he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they 
 rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit : therefore he was turned to 
 be their enemy, and he fought against them." — Isaiah, Ixiii. 
 9,10. 
 
 The Lord for Israel did prepare 
 Their pasture with a shepherd's care ; 
 From Egypt's bonds their steps He traced, 
 And led them through the desert-waste. 
 
 Falt'ring and weak He onward drew, 
 As One who all their sorrows knew ; 
 And when they reach'd the destined shore, 
 Through Jordan's bed He dry-shod bore. 
 
 But still they turn'd the rebel ear ; 
 
 He warn'd, but they refused to hear : 
 
 They wancler'd, though their paths He lighted ; 
 
 He loved them, but His love they slighted.
 
 68 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Then at the last His wrath wax'd hot; 
 He look'd for fruit, but found it not : 
 " Why longer cumb'reth it the ground ?" 
 He spake — their place was no more found. 
 
 Lord ! if thus Thy vengeance fell 
 On those of old Thou lovedst so well ; 
 And we, like Israel, by Thy hand 
 Are led toward the promised land ; 
 
 Never from us, though Thou may'st chide, 
 The Angel of Thy Presence hide ; 
 But let Thy precious Passion be 
 The cord to bind us still to Thee.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 69 
 
 TUESDAY BEFORE EASTER. 
 
 " And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over 
 it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy 
 day, the things which belong unto thy peace ! but now they are 
 hid from thine eyes." — St Luke, xix. 41, 42. 
 
 Twice did our Saviour weep, since tears bedew 
 Man's pathway to the grave, by sin beguiled ; 
 But know we not, though gracious, kind, and true 
 In all He thought or felt, if e'er He smiled. 
 
 Twice did He weep : He wept at Lazarus' tomb, 
 Viewing the havoc Satan's wiles had made ; 
 That man, so lovely once, corruption's doom 
 Should now fulfil, in the low dust be laid. 
 
 Again He wept : to see those golden towers 
 Fast tottering to their fall. Though He would hide 
 As hen beneath her wings when danger lowers — 
 Despised the loving call ! th' avenging arm defied !
 
 70 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 But vain, in vain those gracious tears did flow : 
 As the moth rushes blindly to the flame, 
 Thus in their madness haste they on the woe 
 Which yet, through ages, mocks their once loved 
 name. 
 
 And so 'tis still — unmoved by hopes or fears, 
 Millions, as clouds which chase along the sky, 
 Pass on : no rainbow promise through His tears 
 To brighten round them when like beasts they die. 
 
 And e'en as now, so shall be to the last : 
 By false bights dazzled, heeding not the gloom 
 Which closes round — until the trumpet-blast 
 Sound to their startled ears — the end is come !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 71 
 
 WEDNESDAY BEFOEE EASTER. 
 
 : Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man 
 with a kiss?"— St Luke, xxii. 48. 
 
 Of all the griefs our souls can prove, 
 
 There's none that strikes so deep and keen 
 
 As falsehood in the hearts we love — 
 Betray'd by those on whom we lean. 
 
 He could not fill the measure up, 
 Till barter' d by a friend for gold ; 
 
 He could not drain the bitter cup, 
 Till by one chosen basely sold. 
 
 We turn with horror from the deed — 
 We shudd'ring speak the traitor's name ; 
 
 But while we follow earth's vile greed, 
 Do we not share the traitor's shame ?
 
 72 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 He spreads His arms — His cheek we kiss, 
 But kiss Him only to betray, 
 
 If we will clasp a world like tins, 
 .While He so loving calls away. 
 
 Thou callest, Lord, not by Thy side 
 To walk where breezes fan the shore, 
 
 But to desert Thee when the tide 
 
 Swells high, and angry tempests roar. 
 
 Thou callest, Lord, in woe or weal, 
 
 Alike securely to rely ; 
 Thy cross, Thy shame, Thy joy to feel, 
 
 With Thee to live, — with Thee to die.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 73 
 
 THUKSDAY BEFORE EASTER. 
 
 ' And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and 
 break it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat ; this 
 is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave 
 it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it ; for this is my blood 
 of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission 
 of sins."— St Matt. xxvi. 26, 27, 28. 
 
 " This is rny Body, take and eat, 
 
 Drink ye this cup full mix'd * and red ; 
 
 To you indeed My flesh is meat, 
 
 To bring you life My blood is shed." 
 
 I ask not, Lord, the myst'ry hidden 
 
 Beneath those words so dark and deep ; 
 
 I would but do as Thou hast bidden, 
 In simple faith Thy mandate keep. 
 
 * "And forthwith came thereout blood and water" (St John, 
 six. 34). Hence the primitive and Catholic practice of mixing 
 water with the wine at the celebration of the Eucharist.
 
 74 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 The bread I eat, the cup I drink — 
 I know Thee present, and adore : 
 
 I look into myself and shrink — 
 I look to Thee, and want no more. 
 
 Though veil'd to sight, in faith I see, 
 Beneath those sacred signs divine, 
 
 My nature, renovate and free, 
 In mystic union join'd to Thine. 
 
 And as at this tremendous hour, 
 
 When Thou didst meekly bow Thy Head, 
 
 To break of sin th' accursed power, 
 And call the living from the dead ; — 
 
 As at this hour Thou deign'st to give 
 For me this life-sustaining food ; 
 
 May it my fainting soul revive, 
 
 And bear secure through death's dark flood.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 75 
 
 GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 'Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up 
 the ehost." — St Matt, xxviii. 50. 
 
 Whence is that deep, that dreadful sound, 
 
 Pervading earth and sky ? 
 Darken'd the sun and cleft the ground 
 
 That agonising cry ! 
 
 Tis He, the Holy One hath died— 
 Hath died, great God ! — for me ; 
 
 My sins have pierced His bleeding side, 
 And nail'd Him to the tree. 
 
 For me the price — the guilt is mine ; 
 
 For me the pain and death ; 
 For me He bears the wrath divine 
 
 Down to the hell beneath !
 
 76 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 And how strong, how dire, the curse, 
 How fierce the arch-foe's rage, 
 
 Pain could alone like His disperse, 
 Alone His blood assuage ! 
 
 Yet for our weal that dreadful deed 
 
 Doth God's just law fulfil, 
 That thence our stubborn hearts may bleed, 
 
 And soften to His will ; 
 
 That broken th' adamantine chain, 
 From death's dark bondage free, 
 
 We may arise with Him to reign 
 In glorious company.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 77 
 
 EASTEE EVE. 
 
 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not 
 the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a 
 good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus 
 Christ." — 1 St Peter, hi. 21. 
 
 The Man of Sorrows grieves no more, 
 The rites of pious love are paid ; 
 
 His pains are hush'd, His anguish sore — 
 In the cold tomb his limbs are laid. 
 
 And where His Spirit ? * Hath It sought, 
 Like captive from his bonds set free, 
 
 The place where souls His blood hath bought 
 Their promised Saviour now may see ? 
 
 Or hath It past to deeper gloom 
 
 Than e'er can shroud our mortal sight : 
 
 To show sin's certainty of doom, 
 
 Of groans, and death, and endless night ? 
 
 * For the different opinions upon the Descent into Hell, vide 
 Pearson on the Creed — Article 5.
 
 78 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 It seems o'er this mysterious day 
 As if an awestruck stillness hung ; 
 
 As if the harmonies that play 
 
 Around God's throne, their harps unstrung. 
 
 But as the darkest shade of night 
 Is promise of a radiant prime, 
 
 So is His presence, past from sight, 
 An earnest of that glorious time, 
 
 When, buried in baptism with Him here, 
 Into His image changed anew, 
 
 We from the grave shall reappear, 
 Eternally His face to view.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 79 
 
 EASTER DAY. 
 
 ' Christ our passover is sacrificed for us : therefore let us keep 
 the feast." — 1 Cor. v. 7-8. 
 
 day of days, thrice hallow'd day ! 
 A blessing liangs upon thy ray ; 
 A halo seems to beam around, 
 As if the earth were holy ground. 
 
 And so it is, — this glorious light 
 Hath pierced the gloom of death's dark night 
 "While heaven's arches wide prolong 
 Echoes of the triumph-song. 
 
 Seraph myriads swell the strain, 
 
 " Christ hath conquer'd — Death is slain ! " 
 
 Distant spheres to spheres repeat, 
 
 " Satan trod beneath His feet!"
 
 80 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 " Christ of sin hath loosed the spell ; 
 Christ hath bound the powers of Hell ; 
 Thrones, dominions — all cast down — 
 Christ hath won the victor's crown ! " 
 
 theme too high for nether spheres — 
 Too jubilant for this vale of tears ; 
 Yet Thy redeem'd ones must aspire 
 To catch of the celestial fire. 
 
 Let each, then, keep the sacred feast — 
 In white robes clad, a fitting guest ; 
 At the Lamb's marriage feast to be 
 Guests welcome through Eternity.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 81 
 
 EASTER MONDAY. 
 
 " But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with 
 what body do they come ? " — 1 Cor. xv. 35. 
 
 Wondrous the thought, 
 
 That when we are brought 
 At the trumpet-blast from the grave's dark hold, 
 
 Our bodies shall rise 
 
 In glorified guise, 
 As seeds that burst from the cerement fold. 
 
 No sign nor trace * 
 
 Of sin's foul disgrace, 
 No scars save the martyr's, of rack and flame ; 
 
 As the Saviour dight 
 
 In His vestment of light, 
 Still bears the marks of His glorious shame. 
 
 * I would wish to be understood as venturing on no opinion as 
 to the aspect of the redeemed in their re-embodied state. All I 
 mean is, that even should the outer traces of former sin remain, as 
 some have imagined, but on which I do not presume to form a con- 
 jecture, the shame and disgrace consequent on sin will have been 
 washed out in the blood of the Eedeenier.
 
 82 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 The spirit shall find, 
 
 With the body combined, 
 No clog that shall trammel in confines of place ; 
 
 But a substance to bear 
 
 Midst the ocean of air 
 The behests of the Lord through unlimited space. 
 
 To realms as far 
 
 As the distant star, 
 It shall pass through th' expanse on untiring wings, 
 
 Unclouded to see 
 
 The wonders that be 
 Now veil'd in the midst of transcendent things. 
 
 Then knowledge unroll'd 
 
 The vast plan will unfold 
 Of harmonies wrought in the universe-frame, 
 
 And one loud song of praise 
 
 To the Ancient of Days 
 From worlds beyond worlds shall re-echo His name.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 83 
 
 From his sin-staiu'd birth 
 
 On this grovelling earth, 
 Whose hope on such pinion dare venture to mount ? 
 
 But faith can aspire 
 
 On its chariot of fire, 
 Like the Prophet, to rise to the Eternal Fount !
 
 84 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 EASTEK TUESDAY. 
 
 : Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, 
 Peace be unto you." — St Luke, xxiv. 36. 
 
 'Tis not the raging storm without 
 That can our Sion's bulwarks harm ; 
 
 The foe's fierce wrath, the rabble shout, 
 Cause not to constant hearts alarm. 
 
 But when within confusion reigns, 
 Error and strife, distrust and fear ; 
 
 The soul, like mourning dove, complains, 
 Is there no guiding presence near ? 
 
 The wise dispute — e'en they who seek 
 With hearts most earnest, turn astray : 
 
 Is there no staff to prop the weak ? 
 Is there no star to point the way ?
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 85 
 
 Yes, in the midst, lo ! Jesus stands : 
 " Peace be unto you — why distrest ? 
 
 My riven side, My feet and hands 
 
 Were pierced to bring you to your rest. 
 
 " Conflicting signs My Church may vex, 
 
 Discordant voices may allure, 
 False lights may her weak faith perplex — 
 
 Though tost and troubled, still secure. 
 
 " For yet I keep, as I have kept 
 Through ages past of good and ill ; 
 
 When most they fear'd the Pilot slept. 
 Closest He watch'd, and watches still."
 
 86 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FIKST SUNDAY AFTER EASTEE. 
 
 "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is 
 the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." — 
 1 St John, v. 4. 
 
 to be born of God ! — to feel that this 
 
 Being of mortal mould with Him is blended, 
 Who, clothed in flesh, when He on high ascended, 
 
 Bore our exalted nature up with His. 
 
 To feel that by His grace the world is laid 
 Trodden beneath our feet, its pomp and glory 
 Meeting our sense unheeded, as a story 
 
 To which we lend no ear, no thought is paid. 
 
 Yes, this is to be born of God — to know 
 
 That in this birth renew'd we draw our being 
 Fresh from the spring of life divine, thus freeing 
 
 Our spirits from the dregs of things below.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 87 
 
 Form'd from the dust, man gropes along his way 
 With eyes down fixt to earth — scarce doth the 
 
 beaming 
 Of Heaven's effulgence reach him — as the gleaming 
 
 Of distant suns emits a cold uncertain ray. 
 
 But when the spark warms the inanimate clod 
 Of our old nature, new and high aspirings 
 Inflame the innermost soul — in its desirings 
 
 Grasping by faith the footstool of its God. 
 
 By faith His image is to our souls restored ; 
 
 Faith the soil cleanses of our sin-marr'd features ; 
 
 Faith's vict'ry o'er the world brings back His 
 creatures, 
 Broken their captive chain, in triumph to their Lord.
 
 88 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST MARK'S DAY. 
 
 APRIL 25. 
 
 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." 
 
 St John, xv. 1. 
 
 Nurtured by a Father's band, 
 Spreads tbe true Vine o'er eacb land ; 
 Shedding health and life around, 
 To the ocean's utmost bound. 
 
 Goodly clusters deck tbe stem, 
 Bright as monarch's diadem ; 
 While the Husbandman each shoot 
 Prunes, to bear a richer fruit. 
 
 Labour, then, with watchful toil — 
 Cleanse from noxious weeds tbe soil, 
 Lest thy vintage-promise bring 
 Wild grapes to the gathering.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 89 
 
 Bound Thy vineyard firm and sure 
 Fix the fences, Lord, secure ; 
 Guard with flaming sword the gate 
 From the Arch-destroyer's hate. 
 
 Still as of old upon Thy Vine 
 Make Thy countenance to shine ; * 
 Never may Thy wrathful shade 
 Blight the branch Thy hand hath made. 
 
 Quick, fill up the measured store ; 
 Then transferr'd Thy Vine shall flourish, 
 Where the living waters nourish, 
 In Thy presence evermore ! 
 
 * Psalm lxxx. 14.
 
 90 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 
 
 Jesus said, I am the good shepherd : the good shepherd giveth 
 his life for the sheep." — St John, x. 11. 
 
 How blest to think that there is One 
 Who in this desert, rough, and drear, 
 
 With constant care and sleepless eye 
 Protects His flock from harm and fear. 
 
 The lambs He in His bosom bears, 
 The weak and weary gently leads, 
 
 How bleak around the waste may be, 
 To waters still and verdant meads. 
 
 He gently leads, but drives them not — 
 They follow with a willing choice ; 
 
 He speaks in accents mild and meek, 
 
 And well they know their Shepherd's voice.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 91 
 
 Well do they know, and follow sure 
 To shelt'ring hill and sunny glade ; 
 
 None doth He lose, even when their path 
 Conducts along death's gloomy shade. 
 
 When the wolf rushes on the flock, 
 The hireling will his charge betray ; 
 
 But the Good Shepherd fronts the foe, 
 And gives His life a willing prey. 
 
 Yes, for His own His blood was shed, 
 
 The sheep close round Him safe to hold ; 
 
 And those now wand 'ring far will bring 
 To be one Shepherd and one fold.
 
 92 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST PHILIP AND ST JAMES'S DAY. 
 
 MAY 1. 
 
 1 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is 
 tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath 
 promised to them that love him." — St James, i. 12. 
 
 Give me a course from danger free, 
 Along a smooth untroubled sea ; 
 To keep my calm and quiet way, 
 Without obstruction and delay. 
 
 So speaks man's heart, until a beam 
 From heav'n disperse the tranquil dream ; 
 Until he learn a way more sure, 
 To face his trial, and endure. 
 
 'Tis not the unmolested road 
 Which hostile step hath rarely trod, 
 That leads to act of glorious name, 
 Enshrined within the rolls of fame.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 93 
 
 Tis not the softly temper'd breeze 
 That gently wafts o'er summer seas ; 
 Eather the firm encounter'd blast 
 Which to the haven brings at last. 
 
 No precious prize e'er comes unsought ; 
 No harvest from the work unwrought ; 
 For earth her penal judgment bears, 
 Who reaps in joy must sow in tears. 
 
 And as the martyr saints of yore 
 The conflict braved from shore to shore, 
 So must we fight, for Christ hath shown 
 That we must win to wear the crown.
 
 94 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 
 
 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, 
 but the world shall rejoice : and ye shall be sorrowful, but your 
 sorrow shall be turned into joy."— St John, xvi. 20. 
 
 Weep and lament, your Lord ye seek, 
 But cannot His loved footsteps trace ; 
 
 Ye search in vain — your lieart is weak, 
 Your spirit finds no resting-place. 
 
 The world rejoices in its pride ; 
 
 Ye wander strange on pilgrim-ground ; 
 That voice which once His saints supplied 
 
 Is now a faint and distant sound. 
 
 Weep now ye may — but wait the morrow ; 
 
 To-day the world may sport and smile ; 
 But not more fleet an infant's sorrow, 
 
 Not more false the tempter's guile.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 95 
 
 Would Rachel mourn her children slain, 
 Nor rather joy with glad surprise, 
 
 If she could see the martyr-train — 
 Her own sweet flowers of Paradise ? 
 
 Could we but purge our visual ray, 
 Though dark the waste where now we 
 
 Our hearts would throb to see the day 
 Shine bright above our distant home. 
 
 Sure as the sun's fresh rays relume 
 From the red east the mountain-crest, 
 
 God's presence will disperse the gloom, 
 And soothe to peace the mourner's breast.
 
 96 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FOUKTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 
 
 " Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you 
 into all truth : . . . but whatsoever he shall hear, that 
 shall he speak : and he will show you things to come." — St 
 John, xvi. 13. 
 
 Spirit of truth divine ! when first Thy ray 
 Pierces athwart the darkness of our way, 
 To the awaken'd soul what visions rise, 
 As heaven expanding opens to our eyes ! 
 
 In the night-watches it will wing its flight 
 Unclogg'd and free toward th' empyrean height, 
 And trace the portals of that glorious gate, 
 Through which no mortal ken can penetrate. 
 
 Like to an oak the light'ning shaft hath riven, 
 The heart may shrink and pine ; each wind of heaven 
 May furious drive, — yet will the wearied head 
 Repose secure upon its storm-toss'd bed,
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 97 
 
 Lull'd by the voice of Hope. Her gracious smile 
 Of its dark terrors can the tomb beguile, 
 And make death's summons but the soul's release — 
 The warrior's welcome to his home of peace. 
 
 God ! if Thou sheddest such celestial light 
 "While yet we live by faith and not by sight ; 
 If thus, surrounded by a world of ill, 
 We hear Thee bid the troubled waves be still : 
 
 What when we reach the precincts of that shore, 
 Where sin can vex and sorrow wound no more ; 
 How shall we feel, when face to face we see 
 The glories of unshrouded Deity !
 
 98 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 
 
 " In the world ye shall have tribulation : hut be of good cheer ; I 
 have overcome the world." — St John, xvi. 33. 
 
 I float along a summer-tide, 
 With blessing crown'd on every side ; 
 Enliv'ning scenes, a balmy breeze, 
 Responsive to a mind at ease. 
 
 Yet tribulation is man's lot ; 
 
 The world affords no shelt'ring spot, 
 
 No refuge sure, from ills to save 
 
 With which sin's havoc tracks the grave. 
 
 It may be that 'tis meant to try 
 If, with firm step and steadfast eye, 
 'Midst pleasant places' sweet allure, 
 I can preserve the way secure.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 99 
 
 It may be that this tranquil scene 
 Is but a curtain spread between 
 Some coming shape of mortal dread — 
 Some storm-cloud lowering o'er my head. 
 
 It may be — But no shape of ill 
 Can reach the heart which love doth fill ; 
 Nor sound of dread disturb the rest 
 Which pillows on a Father's breast. 
 
 Then be it so — what cross I bear, 
 I know my Saviour's love will share ; 
 Whether my course be weal or woe, 
 It must be well — He wills it so.
 
 100 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ASCENSION DAY. 
 
 While they beheld, he was taken up ; and a cloud received him 
 out of their sight." — ACTS, i. 9. 
 
 " A cloud received Him from their sight"— 
 The prize is gain'cl — the work is done ; 
 
 No longer veil'd, in glorious might 
 Ascending to His Father's throne. 
 
 " A clone! received Him from their sight"— 
 for the time, when through that cloud 
 
 The eye shall see in unveil' d light 
 Him circled by the seraph crowd ! 
 
 for the time when, face to face, 
 Him seated at His Father's side 
 
 We shall behold, through boundless space, 
 By myriad voices glorified !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 101 
 
 Yet Faith can see Him now on high 
 Presenting up His people's pray'rs ; 
 
 Before His Father their faint cry 
 Our faithful Intercessor bears. 
 
 He points the wounds — He shows the shame 
 
 He bore upon th' atoning tree ; 
 The robe, to cover o'er the blame 
 
 That clings to man's infirmity. 
 
 Then heal Thy Church's ills, Lord ! 
 
 may for her Thy members riven, 
 Thy blood pour'd out, — a balm afford, 
 
 A token of her sin forgiven.
 
 102 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY. 
 
 : Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?" 
 
 Acts, i. 11. 
 
 " In vain, in vain ye heav'nward gaze ; 
 He whom ye seek, through pathless ways, 
 Encircled by His glorious train, 
 Mounts up beyond yon starry plain." 
 
 Beset by this world's moiling din, 
 
 Dare I aspire one glance to win ; 
 
 To raise on high my purblind eyes, 
 
 And trace Him through those azure skies ? 
 
 Yes, I may gaze — let me strive 
 My sluggish soul to keep alive, 
 And upwards spring on venturous wing, 
 With high, though weak, aspiring.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 103 
 
 Above those stars, let me soar, 
 Those glorious portals to explore, — 
 Where thrones, dominions, princes, powers, 
 Within th' Eternal City's towers, 
 
 On golden harps hosannas raise, 
 Like mighty waters' voice of praise ; 
 Or circle round, or ceaseless go, 
 Bearing His mandates to and fro. 
 
 Let me then gaze — my spirit rove 
 In holy vision rapt above ; 
 Kefresh me with a Pisgah-sight 
 Of the promised land of joy and light.
 
 104 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 WHIT-SUNDAY. 
 
 '■ And I -will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Com- 
 forter, that he may abide with you for ever." — Sx John, xiv. 16. 
 
 Spirit of God, great source of light, 
 
 Thou Comforter divine, 
 Through the dim veil that shrouds our sight 
 
 make Thy face to shine. 
 
 The grass doth wither, fades the flower 
 
 Before Thy blighting breath ; 
 At Thy command the mountains cower — 
 
 At Thy rebuke is death. 
 
 Again Thou breathest joy and health, 
 
 Again the well-springs flow, 
 And to the poor and needy wealth 
 
 In copious streams bestow.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTION'S. 105 
 
 Thou who erst upon the face 
 
 Movedst of the wat'ry waste, 
 Filling with life th' expanse of space, 
 
 What time the bounds were placed ; 
 
 Do Thou within my breast preside 
 
 When tempest-tost and driven, 
 A constant compass o'er the tide, 
 
 Still pointing true to Heaven. 
 
 Led by Thine energising power, 
 
 May I the right course keep ; 
 As pilots watch the beacon tower 
 
 Over the ocean-deep.
 
 106 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS, 
 
 WHIT-MONDAY. 
 
 "We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works 
 of God." — Acts, ii. 11. 
 
 The sun arises to adore 
 
 His Maker from the eastern shore ; 
 
 Now veil'd in mist, and cloud, and shower, 
 
 Now radiant in resplendent power. 
 
 And thus God's Spirit : there the ray 
 Seems to light up some inward day ; 
 Here pierces through the soul's thick gloom, 
 As flickering flame o'er churchyard tomb. 
 
 Whether with grateful joy received, 
 Or coldly met and scarce believed, 
 Alike the Spirit, through all lands, 
 Carries the Father's Inch commands.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 107 
 
 In wondering gaze as strangers hung 
 On truths reveal'd in various tongue, 
 What time the chosen band were fired, 
 With powers miraculous inspired ; 
 
 Still to far isle, and barbarous clime, 
 Stain'd with the curse of savage crime, 
 The Spirit lifts the warning cry, 
 " Make straight the path — your God is nigh." 
 
 But whether or not they saving hear, 
 For good or ill the end draws near ; 
 No eye so blind but soon will see 
 Time pass into eternity.
 
 108 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 WHIT-TUESDAY. 
 
 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit 
 of God dwelleth in you 1" — 1 Cor. iii. 16. 
 
 It is not in the tempest's shock,* 
 When nations in the earthquake rock ; 
 It is not when the flaming tide 
 Spreads destruction far and wide : 
 
 But 'tis the still small voice we hear 
 In the night watches calm and clear, 
 That speaks within the conscious breast, 
 The Spirit an indwelling guest. 
 
 The soul awakes with wild surprise, 
 And phantoms dark and dread arise, 
 When first the Spirit's stirring breath 
 Softens the ice of sin and death. 
 
 * 1st Kings, xix. 11.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 109 
 
 But who can tell how calm and still 
 The troubled heart, the rebel will, 
 When that breath whispers hope and peace, 
 The guerdon of the soul's release ? 
 
 Spirit of God, by whom the thought 
 Implanted is to ripeness brought, 
 Fanning each feebly flickering spark, 
 To shine like glow-worm in the dark : 
 
 In this the Church's labouring hour, 
 Enfold her with Thy sevenfold power ; 
 And make her children fit to be 
 Habitual temples, Lord, for Thee !
 
 110 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST BAKNABAS' DAY. 
 
 JUNE 11. 
 
 " And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which 
 is, being interpreted, The son of consolation)." — Acts, iv. 36. 
 
 "The son of consolation" — what voice 
 Can fall more kindly on the pilgrim's ear 
 Than that which bids the toiling heart rejoice, 
 And of the mourning spirit dries the tear ? 
 
 True, there is One, and only One, whose power 
 Can through our rough and weary path sustain ; 
 Himself, who felt the agonising hour, 
 Alone can feel our grief, and know our pain. 
 
 But as He sits high-throned above our sight, 
 Through human agents He our wants supplies ; 
 Affection's tender bands, the dear delight 
 Of kindred sympathies, and social ties.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. Ill 
 
 Blessed it is, when labouring, faint, and weak, 
 On a sure arm the tottering frame to rest ; 
 Or still more blest, to hear our Mother speak 
 Sweet words of comfort to the troubled breast. 
 
 But though the Church her minist'ring aid can bring — 
 The way of peace to hearts desponding show ; 
 "Tis He alone who can unlock the spring 
 Whence streams of everlasting solace flow. 
 
 'Tis He alone on the dark cloud can paint 
 The bow of promise to the sinner's soul ; 
 Can loose the hold of Satan's strong restraint, 
 And bring the panting spirit to the goal.
 
 112 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 TRINITY SUNDAY. 
 
 And immediately I was in the Spirit : and, behold, a throne was 
 set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was 
 to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone." — Key. iv. 2-3. 
 
 While reason strives in vain to trace 
 Beyond the horizon's bounded space, 
 God doth in dim perspective raise 
 The mystic veil before our gaze. 
 
 What is't we see ? th' Eternal One, 
 With rainbow glory round His throne ; — 
 Th' elders with golden circlets crown'd ; — 
 Four living things the throne surround ; — 
 
 The sea of glass ; — seven lamps of fire ; — 
 Lightnings' and thund'rings' awful quire ; — 
 Glory to God, thrice holy, paid, 
 By and for Whom were all things made.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 113 
 
 Enough, enough, my eyes I close ; 
 Like morning ray on Alpine snows, 
 Too dazzling bright within the gate 
 For mortal eye to penetrate. 
 
 Others may depths untrack'd explore, 
 Or on adventurous pinion soar : 
 Tis not for me — I dare not scan 
 The mystery unreveal'd to man. 
 
 When low I bend in humble prayer, 
 Enough to know my God is there ; 
 In Essence one, in Person three, 
 Th' unfathomable Deity.
 
 114 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 • Beloved, let us love one another : for love is of God ; and every- 
 one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." — 1 St 
 John, iv. 7. 
 
 Is there a heart so cold and drear, 
 So wither'd by the wint'ry blast, 
 
 As not within a voice to hear, 
 Nor feel a tie that binds it fast ? 
 
 The wild-flower decks the rudest cot, 
 
 The parch'd soil will its scantling bring ; 
 
 The darkest nook, the loneliest spot, 
 Are gladden'd by the breath of spring. 
 
 And though man's countenance be marr'd 
 By passion's impress dark and deep, 
 
 And sin and death his breast have scarr'd, 
 Th' affections die not, though they sleep.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 115 
 
 Nature yet speaks where'er we trace, 
 Sliadow'd and dim, God's image gleam ; 
 
 But from the fontanel of grace 
 
 The love which flows in copious stream, 
 
 Like Nile, that rolls its bounteous tide, 
 Within no narrow bounds confined, 
 
 Diffuses mercies far and wide, 
 Extensive as our common kind ; 
 
 Till that it reach the mighty sweep, 
 Around th' eternal throne that move, 
 
 Of waters, utt'ring, vast and deep, 
 One universal voice of love.
 
 116 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall 
 taste of my supper." — St Luke, xiv. 24. 
 
 race of man, design'd on high to soar,* 
 
 How slight a wind will drive you from your course ; 
 
 How will ye clog your pinions with a store 
 
 Of worthless dross that presses down your force ! 
 
 'Tis strange that up th' ascent so rough and steep, 
 While man with toil and pain scarce keeps his way, 
 Of burdens self-imposed he still should heap 
 Load upon load, like children in their play. 
 
 Trifle we may — yet, to our weal or woe, 
 Fix'd is an impress on each passing thought ; 
 A seed for all eternity we sow, 
 Whence to the sifting shall the fruit be brought. 
 
 * Dante, Purgatorio, canto xii. 95.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 117 
 
 " None that are bidden shall My supper taste." 
 God, then will Thy board be guestless found ? 
 Before unthankful hearts Thy feast be placed, 
 With overflowing- bounties vainly crown'd '? 
 
 Though this world's children for their merchandise, 
 Their cares and empty gauds Thy best gifts spurn ; 
 Thine own — the poor, the halt, the blind, their eyes 
 To thy full hand with eager longing turn. 
 
 Then be with such my portion, fill my cup 
 Of earthly good as it may seem Thee best ; 
 But at Thy table grant me, Lord, to sup, 
 Even in the lowest place, a thankful guest,
 
 118 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST JOHN THE BAPTIST'S DAY. 
 
 JUNE 24. 
 
 : The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the 
 way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our 
 God." — Isaiah, xl. 3. 
 
 Out of the wild is heard a cry, 
 
 " Prepare ye, for the Lord draws nigh ; 
 
 Bent he the mountain-tops in twain, 
 
 The valleys raised, the rough made plain." 
 
 Elias speaks, the warning sound 
 Echoes to earth's extremest bound ; 
 And distant isles to isles repeat, 
 " Make straight the way before His feet." 
 
 He comes, with sin and death to war — 
 To bind them to the victor's car ; 
 The mighty in the dust to tread, 
 To raise the meek and lowly head.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 119 
 
 Messiah comes — in gayest bloom 
 Creation sheds a rich perfume ; 
 And joy, and peace, and love, advance 
 To meet Him in the mazy dance. 
 
 E'en now I see the dawning prime, 
 The first burst of that glorious time 
 In the far east. Methinks I hear 
 The tramp of horse -hoofs wending near, 
 
 Like rush of waters. In the sky 
 
 The red cross standard floats on high. 
 
 He comes! He comes! make straight the road — 
 
 Prepare a highway for your God !
 
 120 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 ■'Likewise, I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the angels 
 of God over one sinner that repenteth." — St Luke, xv. 10. 
 
 In those blest spirits which surround, 
 Unnumber'd hosts, th' Eternal's throne, 
 
 With seraphs, can a place be found 
 
 For joy whilst they on earth look down ? 
 
 To the pure denizens of light 
 
 Who dwell beyond yon starry skies, 
 
 Can earth bring pleasant things to sight, 
 Or ought but noxious vapours rise ? 
 
 The heralds of the patriarch's dream,* 
 Bearing their message to and fro, 
 
 Still from the fount of mercy stream, 
 With tiding ocean's ceaseless flow. 
 
 * Genesis, sxviii. 12.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 121 
 
 When out of lowest depths the cry 
 Of sinners' anguish deep they hear, 
 
 On wings of mercy wafted high 
 They bear it to the Saviour's ear. 
 
 None are by Satan's darts so scarr'd 
 Beyond God's love to heal the pain ; 
 
 How much His image may be marr'd, 
 It may be cleansed froni sinful stain. 
 
 Kaise, then, to heaven the fervent voice ; 
 
 Pour forth the penitential tear ; 
 Celestial myriads will rejoice 
 
 To register the pardon there.
 
 122 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FOUKTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the mani- 
 festation of the sons of God." — Romans, viii. 19. 
 
 Look ye behind earth's best disguise, 
 The fairest mask is empty show ; 
 
 While life's more common form supplies 
 Varied reality of woe. 
 
 Its choicest gifts, how bright to view, 
 Like Sodom's apples turn to dust, 
 
 As if o'er nature's bosom blew • 
 
 The poisonous breath of blight and rust. 
 
 Enticing on to lifelong toil, 
 
 Man's best device is but a lure, 
 
 Entangling hopeless in the toil, 
 
 When most we deem the prize secure.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 123 
 
 No spot is sacred — Sin has space 
 
 To spring amidst the vineyard-bound ; 
 
 Error, and strife, and noise, find place 
 Even within God's chosen ground. 
 
 The whole creation groans : of pain 
 
 Eises the universal cry ; 
 Unfit the burden to sustain, 
 
 It pants for its delivery. 
 
 Arm of the Lord, put forth Thy might ! 
 
 Of sin dispel th' accursed doom, 
 And bid Thy Spirit chase the night 
 
 Which broods above this living: tomb !
 
 124 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST PETER'S DAY. 
 
 JUNE 29. 
 
 Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake ? Verily, verily, I say 
 unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me 
 thrice." — St John, xiii. 38. 
 
 And is this he, in speech so bold, 
 So sure his trust, so strong his hold ; 
 The foremost of the chosen band, 
 The beacon on the ocean-strand? 
 
 High swell the billows — stands the rock 
 Unshaken by the tempest's shock? 
 Firm doth he brave the tempter's spell? 
 He sought the trial — and he fell ! 
 
 Fearful to think how danger wrung 
 Denial from that boastful tongue ; — 
 He vows to share his Master's lot 
 Even unto death — and knows him not !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 125 
 
 And do not we our Lord deny, 
 If, while we own His presence nigh, 
 We meet a lion in the way * 
 Which turns our timid steps astray ? 
 
 Temptation comes, we hear Him speak, 
 Yet choose our self-will'd course to seek ; 
 We vaunt our faith, we scorn to flee, — 
 Then tc some idol bend the knee. 
 
 Thou who turn'dst Thy tender look, 
 Constant to him who Thee forsook ; 
 When the storm swells, and raves the blast, 
 Through death and danger hold us fast. 
 
 * Proverbs, xsvi. 13.
 
 126 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TEINITY. 
 
 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye : and be 
 not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." — 1 St Peter, 
 iii. 14. 
 
 We walk 'mid terrors half re veal' d, 
 Like children sporting on the brink, 
 
 By mists and shadows dim conceal'd, 
 Nor know the danger till we sink. 
 
 Strive we on eagle-wing to soar, 
 
 Too weak our strength its flight to hold ; 
 With timid step we skirt the shore, 
 
 The whelming quicksand-depths enfold. 
 
 But by God's Spirit surely led, 
 
 Within the everlasting arms 
 Upheld and gather'd, safe we tread, 
 
 How fiercely rage the world's alarms.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 127 
 
 Thrice happy, who, when Satan's hate 
 With fiery darts besets thern ronnd, 
 
 Confront the foeman at the gate, 
 
 And scorn to yield the vantage-ground. 
 
 The path which leads to Sion's height, 
 
 With sorrows track' d, and rough with briars, 
 
 A prospect opens to the sight, 
 
 More glorious than yon starry fires. 
 
 Suffer we must — but not in vain : — 
 Then happiest in the Saviour's love, 
 
 When all our tears, like miser's gain, 
 Are treasured in the stores above.
 
 128 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus 
 Christ were baptised into his death." — ROMANS, vi. 3. 
 
 O'er Jordan's strand 
 
 To the promised land 
 We pass when we draw our infant breath ; 
 
 In the saving tide 
 
 Which flow'd from His side, 
 Baptised into life by the Saviour's death. 
 
 Though purged from sin, 
 
 From the taint within, 
 The curse entail'd by our primal birth ; 
 
 Yet heavy the weight 
 
 In our pilgrim state, 
 As we range our course o'er this guilt-stain'd earth. 
 
 Mighty the foes 
 Which our path oppose, 
 While we weary wend to our Jordan's fount ;
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 129 
 
 But our strength is stay'd 
 On a mightier aid, 
 To lead us secure to the sacred mount. 
 
 The cloud by day 
 
 Still points our way, 
 While it screens from the heat of the noontide blaze ; 
 
 And the pillar by night 
 
 Throws a cheering light 
 Mid the shadows which scare our bewilder'd gaze. 
 
 The mother her child * 
 
 May desert in the wild ; 
 But hidden from danger, and safe from alarms, 
 
 His own He will fold, 
 
 If we firmly hold, 
 In the shelter of Love's everlasting arms. 
 
 Then grant me the will 
 
 To die to ill, 
 As Thou in Thy Passion didst die for me ; 
 
 Hereafter to rise 
 
 To the place in the skies 
 Thou hast promised to those who are buried with Thee. 
 
 * Isaiah, xlix. 15. 
 I
 
 130 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 : And he asked them, How many loaves have ye ? And they said, 
 Seven." — St Mark, viii. 5. 
 
 'Tis sweet to feel in weal and woe 
 Him ever present at our side, 
 
 O'er earth's wide face, where'er we go, 
 For all our wants His care provide. 
 
 And as of yore the crowd He fed 
 
 Ranged at the desert's grassy board, 
 
 Hungry and weak, with wondrous bread, 
 Such as alone could God afford ; 
 
 And seven the loaves, the number given 
 In the seal'd book like mystic spell, 
 
 Of perfectness to earth and heaven, 
 In vision, type, and miracle : —
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 131 
 
 A table in the wilderness 
 
 Still doth He spread our souls to cheer, 
 Ready the bread of life to bless 
 
 To all whose fainting steps draw near. 
 
 And while Thou thus vouchsaf 'st to feed 
 Thy Churches, scatter'd far and wide, 
 
 With food sufficient for their need, 
 
 The heavenly food Thy death supplied ; 
 
 teach us in that sacred sign 
 
 Thy perfect rule of love to see, 
 The bond of unity divine, — 
 
 Many in one, and all in Thee.
 
 132 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST JAMES'S DAY. 
 
 JULY 25. 
 
 Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptised with the 
 baptism that I am baptised with : but to sit on my right hand, 
 and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to 
 them for whom it is prepared of my Father."— St Matt. xx. 23. 
 
 With Christ to live, with Christ to die, 
 To fix on Him the steadfast eye ; 
 Secure within His courts to dwell, 
 Like hermit in his lonely cell ; 
 
 Unmoved amid life's dang'rous frauds ; 
 Undazzled by its luring gauds ; 
 Free in a world of noise and din 
 To feel that all is peace within ; 
 
 With Him the bitter cup to share ; 
 Th' allotted trial firmly bear ; 
 Nor let the foeman vantage gain, 
 Whate'er the cost of toil or pain ; —
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 133 
 
 Be this my lot ! I want no more — 
 I seek not on proud wing to soar ; 
 Amongst the foremost saints to be 
 Is glory far too great for me. 
 
 I ask not, mid the seraph-band 
 On high, to sit at His right hand, 
 With those reserved to wear the guise, 
 The golden crowns of paradise. 
 
 Enough to find the open'd door, 
 The conflict past, the labour o'er ; 
 Enough, whate'er my place may be, 
 Nothing can hide God's face from me.
 
 134 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " Wlierefore by their fruits ye shall know them." — St Matt. vii. 20. 
 
 We are not what we seem, 
 
 But an airy dream 
 That flutters away with th' awakening dawn ; 
 
 For the good we prepare, 
 
 And the evil we dare, 
 Soon vanish as dew on earth's bosom at morn. 
 
 We are not what we seem, 
 
 For this fleeting dream 
 Is the forecast of things which shall ne'er pass away ; 
 
 And our deeds are the fruit 
 
 Of a deathless root, 
 Which the worm cannot reach, nor the canker decay. 
 
 Their mem'ry may pass 
 
 O'er our sight as a glass 
 
 Reflected a moment — then fade from the thought ;
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 135 
 
 But around us they're roll'd 
 Like a mantle-fold, 
 Of weal or of woe for eternity wrought. 
 
 Could we pierce the haze 
 
 Which obscures the rays 
 Of truth to our dim and bewilder'd eyes, 
 
 How dreadful would glare, 
 
 In the light stripp'd bare, 
 The phantoms we clothe in a false disguise ! 
 
 The fairest to sight 
 
 Too oft bears a blight 
 In souls born anew in the saving tide ; 
 
 Like apples that grew 
 
 Of deceptive hue 
 On the verdant shores by the Jordan's side. 
 
 But a tree grows rife* 
 
 By the river of life, 
 With its leaves for the healing of nations widespread, 
 
 Whose fruits shall endure, 
 
 In their ripeness mature, 
 When the earth and the sea shall have render'd their 
 dead. 
 
 * Revelation, xsii. 1, 2.
 
 136 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon 
 of unrighteousness ; that, when ye fail, they may receive you 
 into everlasting habitations." — St Luke, xvi. 9. 
 
 Make friends of Mammon ! from whose wings 
 A blight distils o'er human things, 
 And souls entangled in whose spell 
 Unnumber'd crowd the courts of Hell ! 
 
 Yes, He who woke to life the clod, 
 Bids us make friends of this world's god, 
 Since He can cause, for good or ill, 
 Earth's vilest dross obey His will. 
 
 Mammon his millions to the tomb 
 Has sent, to their eternal doom ; 
 And millions more will never lack 
 To tread like sheep the beaten track.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 137 
 
 But lie may prove a path of light 
 
 To such as use the means aright ; 
 
 A willing servant to ohey, 
 
 And smooth and help their upward way. 
 
 We cleanse the poison-cup to health, 
 When earth's best stores of power or wealth, 
 Through varied channels, one end find — 
 The common welfare of mankind. 
 
 The world may bend the homage-knee : 
 Before the golden image free, 
 Make we of Mammon friends, that they 
 May meet us in the realms of day.
 
 138 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 ; And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over 
 it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy 
 day, the things which belong unto thy peace ! but now they 
 are hid from thine eyes."— St Luke, xix. 41, 42. 
 
 " Didst thou but know in this thy day, 
 Ere yet thou seal'st thy fate, 
 
 The things belonging to thy peace, 
 Before it be too late ! 
 
 " The temples golden pinnacles 
 
 Still glitter in the sun ! 
 Not yet hath pass'd the fatal doom — 
 
 Nor yet the deed is done ! " 
 
 Thus spake the warning voice, and still 
 The self-same voice we hear, 
 
 Whene'er across yon darken'd vault 
 The winter-storm draws near.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 139 
 
 It warns in summer's shifting sheen, 
 
 In autumn's rustling breath, 
 That all creation moves along 
 
 The beaten path of death. 
 
 The world may march unconscious on 
 
 In its vainglory swelling, 
 Nor deign in its unheeding pride 
 
 To note the death-toll's knelling ; — 
 
 But seek we, while 'tis time, the things 
 
 Belonging to our peace : 
 The dial's hand still points the hour, 
 
 To-morrow it may cease !
 
 140 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 : And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as 
 bis eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God 
 be merciful to me a sinner." — St Luke, xviii. 13. 
 
 God, in this Thy world so fair, 
 Amidst Thy gifts so choice and rare, 
 Hast Them a spot of sacred ground 
 Where Satan cannot pass the bound ? 
 
 Is there a breast so pure and bright 
 As naked to confront the light, 
 And dauntless dare Thy searching eye 
 To scan its inward secresy ? 
 
 Thy saints, secure from strife of sin, 
 May nothing know but peace within, 
 And keep their course, unmoved by ill, 
 With strong: resolve and settled will.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTION'S. 141 
 
 But while my weak and wayward heart 
 Now craves, now shuns, the better part ; 
 Groaning beneath the power and weight 
 Of what I turn to while I hate — 
 
 While like a slave I feel the pain, 
 And strive, but cannot break the chain ; 
 Now hoping high, now spent with toil, 
 Desponding o'er my bosom's soil — 
 
 When in this vex'd and troubled state, 
 I enter, Lord, Thy temple-gate, 
 And shroud my face, and bend the knee, — 
 Father of mercies, look on me !
 
 142 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST BARTHOLOMEW'S DAY. 
 
 Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile !" — St John, i. 47. 
 
 When, by the bed of one most dear, 
 To catch the latest breath we bend, 
 We doubt not of the blissful end, 
 
 Though he no martyr-crown may wear. 
 
 We doubt not that a trustful heart, 
 
 A soul that moved in love's clear light, 
 Like to the guileless Israelite, 
 
 Hath gain'd through grace the better part. 
 
 Martyrs and saints of glorious fame, 
 Apostles ranging sea and land, 
 Expectant wait their high command, 
 
 Foremost in station as in name.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 143 
 
 Yet there's a circle round the throne 
 Where infant-angels view His face ; 
 And childlike spirits have a place 
 
 Keserved within the inner zone. 
 
 Mid the more brilliant orbs of night 
 The paler stars are twinkling seen, 
 For each alike derives its sheen 
 
 From the same glorious source of Light. 
 
 God knows His creatures, — as is best, 
 Bright or obscure, He points their way ; 
 'Tis oiu-s to follow and obey, 
 
 And trustful leave to Him the rest.
 
 144 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTEE TRINITY. 
 
 And looking up to heaven, lie sighed, and saith unto him, 
 Ephphatha, that is, Be opened." — St Mark, vii. 34. 
 
 'Tis strange midst omens dark and drear, 
 
 While death stalks round and tempests shake, 
 
 Mid sounds of dread and sights of fear, 
 Nought can our spell-hound senses wake. 
 
 Our tongues are tied except to mix 
 
 Their voices with the Babel-din ; 
 Upwards our eyes we cannot fix, 
 
 No seraph-harps our ears could win. 
 
 E'en could " the gates of pearl " disclose * 
 Their radiant store of gems and gold, 
 
 Still would our hearts, like Alpine snows 
 In winter's sun, be drear and cold. 
 
 * Revelation, sxi. 25.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 145 
 
 Until Thy Spirit stir the clod, 
 
 In torpid apathy it lies ; 
 Fit but its grovelling course to plod, 
 
 And weave its lower destinies. 
 
 Or if aroused, we restless stray 
 
 Now here, now there, by impulse driven, 
 As desert-travellers miss their way 
 
 Beneath a dark and clouded heaven. 
 
 But let Thine Ephphatha be spoken, 
 To set from thrall our spirits free, 
 
 As birds which from the snare have broken, 
 We mount on angel- wings to Thee !
 
 146 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell 
 among thieves." — St Luke, x. 30. 
 
 Careless we wend life's paths along, 
 Nor see the perils which surround ; 
 
 We wander mid the leaguer'd throng 
 Of foes, as if 'twere guarded ground. 
 
 We meet the tempter's arts with smiles, 
 And idly dream of joy and peace ; 
 
 Nor feel how subtle are his wiles, 
 Till vainly we attempt release. 
 
 And then, by Satan's shafts transfix'd, 
 Half dead, we languish from the smart, 
 
 Nor can by human hand be mix'd 
 The balm to cure th' envenom'd dart.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 147 
 
 But there is One who passeth by, 
 
 A good Samaritan, to heal 
 With oil and wine the agony, — 
 
 Unhurt Himself, He yet can feel. 
 
 He shelters us from scath and harm, 
 
 The Church our sure defence and tower ; 
 
 And pours of grace the saving balm, 
 His blood our renovating power. 
 
 When from our Sion we descend, 
 
 To journey through this world below, 
 
 Lord, beside the way attend, 
 
 And o-uard us from th' assailing foe.
 
 148 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " Aud Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed ? But 
 where are the nine ? " — St Luke, xvii. 17. 
 
 Where are the cleansed — where the nine 
 Who fly for aid to love divine, 
 And, from their trouble loosed and free, 
 Turn not to bend the grateful knee ? 
 
 Look ye around — nay, look within ; 
 
 Is there no festering, cherish'd sin 
 
 You vow'd to yield when pain press'd sore- 
 
 The pain removed, you sinn'd the more ? 
 
 Is there no idol in the heart, 
 
 Lording it o'er the better part ? 
 
 You feel — you strive — you break the chain- 
 
 And straight 'tis closer bound asrain.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 149 
 
 In man's false breast so deeply lies 
 Corruption, that it never dies ; 
 We deem it crush'd, again it springs, 
 And with fresh strength its venom flings. 
 
 How then be cleansed ? must we still 
 Eun darkling down from ill to ill, 
 Without the strength of will to rise 
 And wing our nobler energies ? 
 
 God of all mercy ! may the tide 
 Which issued from Thy wounded side, 
 In Thy good time wash out the stain, 
 And make our spirits pure again.
 
 150 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTEE TRINITY. 
 
 Take therefore no thought for the morrow : for the morrow shall 
 take thought for the things of itself." — St Matt. vi. 34. 
 
 When God appears in awful form, 
 With portents blazing forth, 
 
 He bids us quail before the storm, 
 And tremble at His wrath. 
 
 But when He shows an aspect calm, 
 And heaven and earth are still, 
 
 'Tis faithless if we seek alarm, 
 And brood o'er coming ill. 
 
 'Tis not that we're forbid to fear 
 The future from the past ; 
 
 'Tis not that we must close the ear 
 To whisperings of the blast :
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 151 
 
 But when uncertain shadows rise, 
 
 If we forecast the gloom, 
 We tempt Him to cloud o'er our skies, 
 
 And ratify the doom. 
 
 We tempt Him, if we timid tread 
 
 Where He points out the way, 
 When danger lowers o'er our head, 
 
 His shelt'ring power to stay. 
 
 Trust then to Him ; whate'er we meet, 
 
 This trust will strength impart, 
 Will turn the bitterest cup to sweet, 
 
 And blunt the fiercest dart.
 
 152 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST MATTHEW'S DAY. 
 
 SEPTEMBER 21. 
 
 " And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named 
 Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom : and he saith unto 
 him, Follow me." — St Matt. ix. 9. 
 
 Say not that God a bar hath placed 
 
 Before His temple-gate ; 
 Say not His image is defaced 
 
 By thine allotted state. 
 
 Happy who, shelter'd from the crash, 
 Can hear the world's wild roar, 
 
 As ocean billows' distant dash 
 Upon the troubled shore. 
 
 Happier who, mixing with the throng, 
 Strong in the strength within, 
 
 Can unobstructed move along, 
 Secure the end to win.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 153 
 
 Christ at receipt of custom found 
 
 One fit His cross to share ; 
 To teach that all is holy ground 
 
 When we the soil prepare. 
 
 He who in busy scenes of life 
 
 Walks undisturb'd and free, 
 And spurns amid its noise and strife 
 
 The world's idolatry, — 
 
 Around him bears a halo bright 
 That cheers him on his way ; 
 
 As glimmers o'er the tomb a light 
 From mortal dust's decay.
 
 154 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " Young man, I say unto thee, Arise." — St Luke, vii. 14. 
 
 Arise, arise, why stop to sleep, 
 And let death's image o'er thee creep ? 
 A mighty work before thee lies, 
 To rouse thine utmost energies. 
 
 Is it a time to waste the hours 
 
 By cooling streams and sunny flowers — 
 
 To loiter careless while the light 
 
 Is waning in the shades of night ? 
 
 Is it a time for pomp and pride 
 When death is dancing by the side ? 
 When nature's broidery, fair and gay, 
 Is but a shroud to veil decay ?
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 155 
 
 Arise, arise, tliou hast no leisure 
 To thread the maze of idle pleasure ; 
 For much' — how much ! — must yet be done 
 Ere the brief sands of life be run ! 
 
 Eternal things are pressing on ; 
 And He who raised the widow's son 
 Again will burst death's murky pall, 
 And from the dust thy frame recall. 
 
 For soon that dreadful voice will sound, 
 Stirring creation's farthest bound, 
 Through ocean-cave, and earth's dark tomb, — 
 " Awake, arise, the Lord is come ! "
 
 15G DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS' DAY. 
 
 SEPTEMBER 29. 
 
 " And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and 
 his ministers a flame of fire." — Hebrews, i. 7. 
 
 Fairest and first of things create 
 
 Who stood about the sapphire throne, 
 Ere yet the morning stars elate 
 
 In glory deck'd the azure zone ; 
 Ere yet our nether world had place 
 To circle in its destined space — 
 We hail ye blest ! sons of immortal birth — 
 Bright messengers from heaven of hope and peace 
 to earth. 
 
 And foremost of the mighty band, 
 Th' Archangel with his victor brow, 
 
 With flaming brand and red right-hand 
 Casting the Dragon's host below —
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 157 
 
 And he who to the holy Maid 
 
 Tidings of great joy convey'd ; 
 
 And ye who raised your jubilant hymn on high, 
 
 What time creation hail'd the Child's nativity ! 
 
 Whether ye reign in realms above, 
 Dominions, potentates, and powers ; 
 
 Or, ministers of peace and love, 
 
 Ye come to man like summer showers ; 
 
 On this your day, celestial quire, 
 
 I fain would burn with seraph-fire, 
 
 Waiting the time with high-strung harp to raise 
 
 Before the throne of God the unison of praise.
 
 158 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 
 
 " But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room ; 
 that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, 
 Friend, go up higher." — St Luke, xiv. 10. 
 
 The sunflower lifts its head on high, 
 
 While the meek violet beneath, 
 Retiring from the gazer's eye, 
 
 Pours forth to heav'n its grateful breath ; 
 For timid loveliness will shun the light 
 Whence frames of sturdier mould derive then - stalwart 
 might. 
 
 It matters not what soil supplies, 
 
 Or rich or poor, the precious gem, — 
 Whether it seek a lowly guise, 
 Or sparkle in the diadem, 
 Since God alone can read the secret breast 
 Beneath the hermit's cowl or warrior's lordly crest.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 159 
 
 While each alike the knee may bend, 
 
 And lips may speak the self-same prayer, 
 He knows when hearts the voice attend, 
 And notes the incense offer'd there ; 
 While to the bosom's plaint His Spirit brings, 
 Though weak and faint, the strength to mount on 
 eagle's wings. 
 
 He listens when the full-toned quire 
 
 Through the groin'd arches peals along, 
 Ascending up like altar-fire, 
 
 To join the angels' triumph-song ; 
 But listens with not less complacent ear 
 To broken spirit's hymn of faith, and hope, and fear.
 
 1G0 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 "And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any 
 man from that day forth ask him any more questions." — St 
 Matt. xxii. 46. 
 
 May we not ask, if doubts arise, 
 And dark we grope with purblind eyes, 
 Some aid to clear our visual ray, 
 And lead us forward on our way ? 
 
 For steadfast hearts, which fraud or force 
 Would fail to hinder in their course, 
 Are oft by devious paths perplex'd, 
 By jarring voices' conflict vex'd. 
 
 And doubts may rise on which the soul 
 Drifts as upon an nnmark'd shoal — 
 Happy if, ere too late, it see . 
 The landmark of security !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 161 
 
 If with a faith, though weak and faint, 
 We breathe the spirit's low complaint, 
 Nor strive with speculation bold 
 To search behind God's rnantle-fold ; 
 
 If Him we trust with simple heart 
 All needful knowledge to impart, 
 Nor think by reason's power to mount 
 Towards the broken cistern's fount : 
 
 He will in part oft lift the shroud, 
 Thick spread before the wise and proud, 
 And lead along with gentle hand 
 To prospect of the promised land.
 
 1G2 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying 
 on a bed : and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of 
 the palsy ; Son, be of good cheer ; thy sins be forgiven thee." 
 — St Matt. ix. 2. 
 
 If the blest spirits which above 
 Look down on man with godlike love, 
 Could in their bliss the fountains deep 
 Of sorrow stir, and watch and weep, 
 
 Their bitterest tears would flow to see, 
 Unconscious of their misery, 
 Sin's death-struck victims sport and play- 
 In fond grimace of youth's fresh day. 
 
 It seems as if, with frenzy fraught, 
 The souls in Satan's meshes caught 
 Impatient rush towards the tomb, 
 In haste to meet their coming doom.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 1G3 
 
 'Tis sad beneath the scourge to languish, 
 But sadder if unfelt the anguish, 
 Clanking the chain with maniac air, 
 To rush down headlong to despair. 
 
 Then if by some kind minist'ring aid 
 The palsied soul be borne and laid, 
 Now roused to sense of its lost state, 
 To meet Him at His city-gate : — 
 
 How sweet the sound " Be of good cheer, 
 I came on earth to draw thee near ; 
 To speak of peace, of sin forgiven, 
 And open the closed doors of heaven."
 
 164 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST LUKE'S DAY. 
 
 OCTOBER 18. 
 
 " Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. 
 Only Luke is with me." — 2 Tim. iv. 10. 
 
 When forth the soul comes fresh and free, 
 
 It breathes untainted air ; 
 " Heaven lies about its infancy," 
 
 And Paradise is there. 
 While unseen spirits hover round 
 To guard the fence of holy ground. 
 
 And well if, launch'd on the world's wave, 
 
 It steadfastly endure ; 
 Happy, thrice happy, if it brave 
 
 Uninjured the allure,— 
 Not tempted by the plumage gay 
 In insect-chase to lose the day.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 165 
 
 All, in his faith's first buoyant heat, 
 
 Demas for Christ forsook, 
 Then follow'd with slow ling'ring feet, — 
 
 Then turn'd the fatal look. 
 He had not stopp'd to count the cost 
 Of what he gain'd by what he lost. 
 
 But Luke remain'd — Hearts firm and true 
 
 Around their centre range ; 
 And ceaselessly their course pursue 
 
 While all things pass and change, 
 Drawn by the influence divine, 
 As planets round their orbit-Hne.
 
 1G6 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, 
 which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants 
 to call them that were bidden to the wedding : and they would 
 not come."— St Matt. xxii. 2-3. 
 
 The Lord cloth for His Church prepare 
 A marriage-feast of heavenly food, 
 
 And summons all her sons to share 
 The banquet of His flesh and blood. 
 
 'Tis ready all — the table spread : 
 Where, then, is each invited guest ? 
 
 Think they to find some better bread '? 
 Can earth afford a richer feast ? 
 
 Alas ! they have no time to waste — 
 The world admits not of delay ; — 
 
 Its pleasures, business — on they haste : 
 They've much to do, and short the day.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 1G7 
 
 It needs the special grace of Heaven, 
 
 Like water from Siloe's spring, 
 To cleanse away the earthly leaven 
 
 That clogs the spirit's drooping wing. 
 
 So dim doth immortality 
 
 Open upon our clouded sight, 
 Some potent aid must clear the eye, 
 
 And suit it to the purer light. 
 
 Then as earth's shadows empty rise, 
 Like mists before the morning ray, 
 
 We wonder how such thin disguise 
 Should e'er have tempted us to stay.
 
 168 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may 
 be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to 
 stand." — Ephes. vi. 13. 
 
 If I would ever hope with, front 
 Serene and firm to stand, 
 
 Should hostile tumult rage around, 
 And havoc waste the land : 
 
 I dare not on the mailed strength 
 
 Of mortal aid rely : 
 Weak is man's unassisted arm, 
 
 And faint his battle-cry. 
 
 But he who in God's armoury seeks 
 For weapons sure and bright, 
 
 May face the elemental shock 
 In adamantine might.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 169 
 
 Strong is the breastplate which secures 
 
 The constant heart's defence ; 
 And safe the helmet on the brow 
 
 Of childlike innocence. 
 
 I know not whence that strife shall come 
 
 In prophet-page foretold ; 
 Whether our vineyard-bound shall see 
 
 The leaguer'd host unfold : 
 
 But should the potentates of earth 
 With hell's high powers combine, 
 
 They need not fear whose souls are cased 
 In panoply divine.
 
 170 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ST SIMON AND ST JUDE'S DAY. 
 
 OCTOBER 28. 
 
 " After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and 
 sent them two and two before his face into every city and 
 place, whither he himself would come." — St Luke, x. 1. 
 
 He sent them two and two around, 
 
 His advent to prepare, 
 And taught, where two or three are found 
 
 He will be present there. 
 
 In rugged climes and desolate, 
 
 If wild-flowers intertwine — 
 In this dissever'd broken state, 
 
 If hearts with hearts combine ; — 
 
 When unison of praise shall fill 
 
 Heaven's glorious canopy, 
 And loving influences distil 
 
 Their incense-breath on high,
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 171 
 
 May we not think that ties on earth, 
 
 "Which nature hath begun, 
 Will at the spirit's second birth 
 
 Be closely drawn in one '? 
 
 That they who in their common place 
 
 A common work employ, 
 Again will meet before His face 
 
 To taste a common joy ? 
 
 Forbid, Lord, the doubt — the fear ; 
 
 It were too sore a pain : 
 They who in faith live loving here 
 
 Can ne'er be strano;e ag-am.
 
 172 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 Peter said unto Jesus, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against 
 me, and I forgive him ?" — St Matt, xviii. 21. 
 
 How oft must I forgive ? how long 
 Shall I endure my brother's wrong ? 
 How oft shall God entreated be ? 
 How long His patience tried by thee ? 
 
 Lurks there within thy bosom's cell 
 Some ill on which thy thoughts will dwell- 
 Some deep offence, some injury wrought 
 By one whom thou in kindness sought : 
 
 What though the hurt may yet remain — 
 No pardon asked to soothe its pain ; 
 A tribute dear thy sorrow bear 
 To Him who can that sorrow share.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 178 
 
 Breathe thy complaint, as the fond dove 
 Mourns her lost mate, with notes of love : 
 Then come what may, thy soul is free, 
 And God's own peace will rest on thee. 
 
 Sweet is the peace, when love's soft breeze 
 Breathes gently o'er the summer seas ; 
 No look averse, no bitter tear 
 To dim the cloudless atmosphere. 
 
 But sweeter, when the wounded heart 
 Finds a kind aid to heal its smart, 
 And hears Him speak, " Cast all on me, — 
 I love— I feel— I died, for thee!"
 
 174 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ALL SAINTS' DAY. 
 
 NOVEMBER 1. 
 
 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man 
 could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and 
 tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed 
 with white robes, and palms in their hands ; and cried with a 
 loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon 
 the throne, and unto the Lamb." — REV. vii. 9-10. 
 
 When I walk the round 
 
 Of the sacred bound, 
 Where beneath those hillocks the dead lie still ; 
 
 To think that the earth 
 
 Shall again give birth 
 To the vivified frames which her bosom fill ! 
 
 That the bodies which sleep 
 
 In the ocean-deep 
 Shall be stirr'd once more by their vital heat ; 
 
 That the spirits at rest 
 
 Shall again be drest 
 In a radiant garb round Jehovah's seat !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTION.-. 1<0 
 
 Glorious the voice 
 
 Which shall then rejoice 
 Of the myriads redeem'd from death's direful curse ; 
 
 And transcendent the blaze 
 
 Eound the Ancient of Days, 
 As Hell and destruction before Him disperse. 
 
 But it is not yet ; 
 
 Thy hand doth let 
 O'er this death-doom'd earth the destroying brand ; 
 
 From coast to coast 
 
 An unnumber'd host 
 Must be gather'd about Thy throne to stand. 
 
 Yet more and more 
 
 With the golden store 
 Must the gamer of heaven be richly fraught ; 
 
 From the crowded marts, 
 
 And the distant parts, 
 O'er land and o'er sea, must the treasure be 
 brought.
 
 176 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Then haste, Lord, the day 
 
 Which Thy power shall display, 
 With Thy saints ranged around in their vestments 
 white ; 
 
 When the number seal'd 
 
 Shall be fully reveal'd, 
 And time shall be merged in the ocean of light.
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 177 
 
 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 ; Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? He saith unto him, Yea. 
 Lord ; thou knowest that I love thee." — St John, xxi. 16. 
 
 " I placed thee in my garden-bound, 
 Fresh planted in that sacred ground, 
 Where all that thou couldst wish was found- 
 Lovest thou Me ? 
 
 " And then I sent thee forth to till 
 The soil beside yon shelt'ring hill, 
 Thy bosom with my store to fill — 
 Lovest thou Me ? 
 
 " I knew that something thou must love, 
 And objects dear I sent to move 
 Thy heart to wing its flight above — 
 Lovest thou Me ? " 
 
 M
 
 178 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 God, I've wander'd far and wide 
 Beyond that shelt'ring mountain-side, 
 Nor kept Thee as my friend and guide — 
 
 Far, far from Thee ! 
 
 But now, if, turning to my rest, 
 
 1 sought Thee in my bosom's nest 
 And found Thee not ; — no Alpine crest 
 
 So cold, so drear, would be. 
 
 Then leave me not — then leave me not ! 
 Happy, thrice happy is his lot, 
 In hermit cave, or lonely cot, 
 Dwelling with Thee !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 17!) 
 
 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 " Give place : for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth." 
 
 — St Matt. ix. 24. 
 
 It is not death that seals the eye ; 
 
 The mould'ring dust which feeds the worm 
 Of those who cold and torpid lie, 
 
 Contains a never-dying germ. 
 
 But 'tis a sleep, where sweetly gleam, 
 In living, conscious, peaceful rest, 
 
 As Sittings of an infant's dream, 
 Celestial visions calm and blest. 
 
 In slumber oft the soul will be 
 
 Borne here and there on pinion light ; 
 
 But loosed from fleshly coil, more free 
 The spirit takes its upward flight.
 
 18U DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Weep for the dead, for wliora await 
 
 Hell's yawning depths, and dark despair ; 
 
 But mourn not those whose blessed state 
 Invites us on to follow there. 
 
 For either shall this body change, 
 Like that which at His Father's side 
 
 Invests Christ's manhood, free to range 
 Midst Saints and Spirits glorified ; 
 
 Or prison'd in th' abyss profound, 
 
 The iron portals closed for ever, 
 Shall hear th' eternal death-clock sound 
 
 One hopeless — changeless — endless — never !
 
 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 181 
 
 TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 
 
 : Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto 
 David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, 
 and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his 
 days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely : and 
 this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD 
 OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."— Jer. radii. 5-6. 
 
 The days shall come — e'en now they seem 
 To cast before their warning beam ; 
 Night's lurid clouds are passing by ; 
 The dawn is redd'ning in the sky. 
 
 Mighty strife shall first abound : 
 Trace we not its symbols round ? 
 Sin shall triumph near and far 
 Ere shall rise that morning Star. 
 
 See the Church in her distress 
 Flee into the wilderness ; 
 Hear the bitter cry, " How long 
 Unavenged shall be our wrong ? "
 
 182 DEVOTIONAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Soon the time — His red right-hand 
 Waves aloft the burning brand ; 
 The banner'd host is must'ring fast — 
 Dreadful sounds His trumpet-blast. 
 
 Mighty He who leads them on ; — 
 The battle's fought, the vict'ry won ! 
 Gog and Magog's life-blood stain 
 Crimsons Armageddon's plain. 
 
 Satan's empire is cast down ; 
 Shatter'd lies the dragon's crown ; 
 Christ hath burst the bars of death ; 
 Sin lies blasted by His breath. 
 
 Gentiles from a thousand lands 
 Shout with joy, and clap their hands ; 
 Judah triumphs safe and sure — 
 Israel's tribes shall dwell secure. 
 
 Seraph harpers hymn the strain, 
 
 " The Lord our Eighteousness doth reign ; 
 
 ( J-olden harp to harp accords, 
 
 Li King of Kings, and Lord of Lords ! " 
 
 FAINTED BX WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND KJNfc, EDINBURGH.
 
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