THE PRESENCE OF THE DEPARTED. 331

They come, where, in life's weary hours of care,

The fainting heart is burdened, tempted,

tried;

Bringing from heaven the strength to do and bear,

The Father's pitying mercy hath supplied; Beneath our roof at evening they abide, Like angel-guests whom Abraham fed of yore, Through the night's stillness watching by our side,

Giving us visions of the world before,— That world of tranquil rest where partings come

no more.

God's ministers, they watch each step of ours, The loved and lost that on life's morning

smiled;

Amidst our sleeping and unconscious hours, They speak within our hearts in accents. mild;

And, as a mother soothes her fretful child, With words of strength and peace our souls they cheer:

O, could we calm our earthly passions wild, And see this spirit-host for ever near,

We ne'er could feel that all alone we wander

here!

"CALL THEM FROM THE DEAD.”

W. J. FOX.

CALL them from the dead
For our eyes to see:
Prophet-bards, whose awful word

Shook the earth, "Thus saith the Lord,"
And made the idols flee;-

A glorious company!

Call them from the dead

For our eyes to see:

Sons of wisdom, song, and power,
Giving earth her richest dower,
And making nations free;-
A glorious company!

Call them from the dead
For our eyes to see:
Forms of beauty, love, and grace,
"Sunshine in the shady place,"
That made it life to be;
A blessed company!

Call them from the dead,

Vain the call will be;

But the hand of Death shall lay,

Like that of Christ, its healing clay

On eyes which then shall see

That glorious company!

"IT IS TOLD ME I MUST DIE.”

WRITTEN BY RICHARD LANGHORNE, BEFORE HIS EXECUTION, UPON AN UNJUST CHARGE OF TREASON, IN THE REIGN OF CHARLES THE SECOND.

SARGENT'S SELECTION.

Ir is told me I must die:

Ọ happy news!

Be glad, O my soul,

And rejoice in Jesus, the Saviour!
If he intended thy perdition

Would he have laid down his life for thee?
Would he have called thee with so much love,
And illuminated thee with the light of the Spirit?
Would he have given thee his cross,

And given thee shoulders to bear it with patience?

It is told me I must die:

O happy news!

Come on, my dearest soul!

Behold, thy Jesus calls thee!

He prayed for thee upon his cross; There he extended his arms to receive thee; There he bowed down his head to kiss thee; There he opened his heart to give thee entrance; There he gave up his life to purchase life for thee.

It is told me I must die
O what happiness!

I am going

To the place of my rest;
To the land of the living;
To the haven of security;
To the kingdom of peace;
To the palace of my God;
To the nuptials of the Lamb;
To sit at the table of my King;
To feed on the bread of angels;
To see what no eye hath seen;
To hear what no ear hath heard;

To enjoy what the heart of man cannot comprehend.

O my Father!

O thou best of all fathers,

Have pity on the most wretched of all thy children!

I was lost, but by thy mercy found;

I was dead, but by thy grace am now raised

again ;

I was gone astray after vanity,

But I am now ready to appear before thee,
O my Father!

Come, now, in mercy, and receive thy child!

Give him thy kiss of peace;

Remit unto him all his sins;

Clothe him with thy nuptial robe;

Permit him to have a place at thy feast;

And forgive all those who are guilty of his death.

FOR COMFORT IN DEATH.

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FOR COMFORT IN DEATH.

HERRICK.

In the hour of my distress,
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart, and sick in head,
And with doubts disquieted,

Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drowned in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the passing-bell doth toll,
And the Furies, in a shoal,
Come to fright my parting soul,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When, God knows, I'm tost about,

Either with despair or doubt, -
Yet before the glass be out,

Sweet Spirit, comfort me!