A cross whose rugged beams run red,
Strange throne for Thee, O King!

But through their shouts, and women's tears
That round His death-cross cling,
A Voice seems scorning in their ears,―
'Ye have but crowned your King!

"Thou art my Son, to Thee I give
Every created thing;

All nations in Thy light shall live,
My Crucified, my King!'

Be wise now therefore, ye who rule;
Your bird of proudest wing
Must stoop to this mysterious school,
If he were twice a king.

O haste, before the unquenching wrath
From eyes so lamb-like spring,
And sweep all sinners from the path
Of this insulted King.

We kiss Thy feet, Thy garment's hem,
Fast to Thy hands we cling;

By Calvary and by Bethlehem
We claim Thee for our King.

As the hen gathers up her brood
Under her tender wing,

Helpless, afraid, beguiled, pursued,

So gather us, O King!

M. C.

HYMN FOR AN EASTER INTROIT.

BY SOPHIA MAY ECKLEY.

GARNISH the Ante-room!

Flood in, O light!
Shine in, O Easter Sun!

Shine on our night!
The Bridegroom is coming,

Make ready the Bride

O symbols of beauty,

Come, hallow earth's pride!

Flowers from the mountain's height,
Flowers from the vale;
Tapers, whose radiant light
Makes the noon pale;
Incense most costly,

All gems and all flowers,-
O LORD, make more worthy,
These cold hearts of ours.

To all He gave talents,

And tributes would win,

Not slothfully buried,

Nor wasted in sin.

Bring Faith, Love, and Patience,
The soul's fairest flowers,

No doubt in the chaplet,

To deck your LORD's bowers.

Let choristers faintly breathe
Whispers of awe,

While from the high Altar sounds

GOD's ancient Law. Then let the glad Gospel,

His mercy proclaim, And next the vast Credo

Roll praise to His Name.

But higher yet, higher yet,
Peal we the strain,

And let the Thrice Holy ring,

'Lo! the Lamb's slain!'

Louder and deeper

The glad words resound,

And soon to His Altar,

The Lamb shall be bound!

He counts all our numbers—
Quick, answer His call!
Bring care, want, and sorrow,
CHRIST Sanctifies all.

Be shod with Faith's sandals!

Love's taper, shine clear!

Almost ere ye know it,

Your LORD shall be here!

319

MEDIEVAL SEQUENCES AND HYMNS.

No IV.-FOR EASTER DAY.

(Hace est sancta.)

HAIL, Festival of festivals most glorious,
Crowned with the triumph of the Crucified;
Who in the power of the Cross victorious,

And by the Blood from out His pierced side,
Breaks down the strong man's empire, and redeems us,
As on this Easter morn, this Day of days:
Wherefore, O Christ our King, it well beseems us
To join with angel choirs in Thy praise.

With favour look on us, who here proclaim Thee
Victorious, since to save our fallen race
Thou didst put off that glory which became Thee,
And to a death of shame Thyself abase.
Now all is past; the chains of hell are riven;
Thou reignest o'er the nations gloriously:
Therefore rejoice we, ransomed and forgiven,
In this Thy Rising, Son of God most high!

Alleluia! Amen.

CONFIRMATION DAY.

RICH AND POOR.

(TWO SOLILOQUIES.)

I.

YES! it is a very serious thing. I know well that I have a life before me, longer or shorter as God may will it to be; and that this one step which I am going to take is a responsibility I shall never, for one moment, be able to lay aside henceforth. No more shifting the blame of short-comings upon others-no more doing just as I see unthinking people do no more living as if I had not a root to grow from. I am saying to myself and to others that Christ is my Leader, His Word my rule, His dear fold my home. I may, I shall come to His Feast-may eat, drink, and be thankful. And all these my sisters around me, who are uttering the same vows-what should be my thoughts and prayers

for them? How will it be in that great coming morning, when we shall be summoned to give an account of ourselves before God?

We may have led on earth widely different sort of lives: one richanother poor; one struggling with misery and temptation in the most terrible forms-the other sheltered, helped, comforted, kept as pure as good companions can keep her. Each, no doubt, if in earnest now, is under the care of the ever-watchful Shepherd; but He Himself would have us help one another: and when our solemn vows are uttered, and the Benediction has followed, then I may, I must, think that I am only one of a great family, and have no right to forget these my brothers and sisters, though our paths may seem very wide apart.

Here, in this mighty city-this great vast London-born and bred, how can we help contemplating the differences, and wishing if possible to make them less? I and those closest to me are favoured ones indeed. Shall we not sometimes say to those others, 'Come thou with us, and we will do thee good?' Certain it is, we do not come here to be divided, but united; and, if possible, more certain still, that if we desire to begin from this time a more holy and Christian life, we can hardly do better than follow up any impulse leading us to increase the means of religious improvement for our fellow-creatures, never losing them out of our sympathies, and affectionately desirous of their good. And now I am leaving behind me this important day-this hallowed building, where so many have been confirmed before me-this crowded scene; the warning yet soothing voice of God's Minister no longer sounds in my ears. I go home, and I think, 'What next?' truly, none of us know: it may be some very small duty, something we hardly think worth a thought; but it is put in my way, and, small or great, I must do it; it is part of my daily discipline, also my daily food, for faith feeds and grows by faithful acts. There is no standing still in life; I must not be contented with myself because I have done one duty, when another beckons me on. Forward, forward!' is still the cry. Even so, Lord! forward would I go, Thou being my guide, and Thy Spirit my helper, till Thou hast done Thy part in me, and I, through Thine infinite mercy, am THINE for ever and ever.

II.

THIS is indeed a new day to me-a new great day. I am here, told that the Good Shepherd has His eye upon me, and that the poor and needy are as much His care as any of the rich. I am sure I need Him; I want to have the thought of His love to warm and cheer me every day and hour of my life. I don't know what there is before me. Sometimes I think it will be a weary lot; then I ask myself, 'If I bear it well, may I not draw good even from trial?' Scripture is very plain; it speaks of prayer being heard and granted; and there is a voice crying, 'Come unto Me, ye that are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you