5. MISTRUST OF ELDERS. "JESUS saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." WHEN holy books, when loving friends, Tell of the peace the Amighty sends On the pure heart and mind,— When they, on whom our souls should lean, The wondrous joy declare, How to God's Altar they have been And found their Saviour there,— Alas! too often, worldly wise, Thus many a precious day, month, year, It comes at last with saddened cheer, He justly dims His ray. Mistrust of Elders. Seven days, we read, a Saint of old Seven days of hope and joy untold And when at last the all-gracious Lord Made answer to his secret word And showed the Wounds divine, Even with that light of love there came A shade of pity more than blame :— My glorious Wounds I show to thee, Till heaven has purged their sight." Alas, that man his breath should lose Where Thou hast set his place! 111 6. FINE CLOTHES. "And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way." (For Palm Sunday.) Look westward, pensive little one, Or eastward turn thee, and admire Thou seest it not an envious screen, A veil too near thine eye. One finger's breadth at hand will mar Fine Clothes. And while to clear the view we stay, Hath quench'd the living gleam. O shame, O grief, when earth's rude toys, For half a prayer perchance on high We soar, and heaven seems bright and nigh, The Sunday garment glittering gay Then haste thee, ere the fond glance stray, I 113 And cast before thy Saviour's feet: His very shrines, this week of woe, Yea, when the funeral days are o'er, The gorgeous hues by sinners worn, His palace court hath order blest, |