13.

DISUSE OF EXCOMMUNICATION.

"Having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

O WONDROUS Warfare of the Spouse of God,

Trampled to earth, yet wielding bolts so keen, She dares not hurl them in her wrath abroad, Only their ireful lustre glares half-seen.

For if she once unlock her quivered store,

Once speak the words that in her bosom dwell,
Earth could not bear the sound; the anguish sore
Might drive her haughtiest to the scourge and cell.

For she hath power to shut the Heaven on high,
Oft as in hallowed air her dread notes thrill,
That no shower fall and she may smite and try
Earth with all plagues, as often as she will.

Only her potent arm now for a space

Lies withered quenched and dull her arrowy fires, Like smouldering brands in daylight, till her race

Wake, as of old, to heaven-born high desires.

But would one Church Christ's awful lore obey,

Like Saints of old,—one household, one true heart,

Such sacrifice might open the dread way

For the Old Signs, for Paul's or Moses' art.

Darkness and mist, at one stern word of thine,
Might even on scorners' outward eyes descend;
Fire might break out of each insulted shrine,
Thy locusts spoil them, and thy lions rend.

Haunt us, dire thought! where'er we walk in sin
That mighty secret Power is all our foe:

But they who bear unharm'd Heaven's seal within
May through the penal fires rejoicing go.

So when the storm is rife among the hills,
Roused on his heathery bed the mountain boy
To every flash that through the dim air thrills
Keeps time with eager hands, and screams for joy.

Note from the Life of Sir Walter Scott, i. 83. "There is a story of his having been forgotten one day among the knolls when a thunderstorm came on; and his aunt, suddenly recollecting his situation, and running out to bring him home, is said to have found him lying on his back, clapping his hands at the lightning, and crying out, Bonny, bonny,' at every flash."

14.

DISUSE OF INFANT COMMUNION.

"There shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him."

O LORD, behold these babes are Thine,

Thy treasured nurslings pure and sweet :
We have sought counsel at thy shrine:
“Where may they sit with Thee, and eat ?”
Thou saidst, "The Water-Bearer meet
Within the chosen City's round,

Trace Him along the hallowed street,
And where He guides, be duteous found.

"Where glorious Sion rests on high

Amid the hills that on her wait, Him faithful following, ye shall spy A wicket in a lowly gate:

There early knock, there linger late,

There in Christ's Name the room require,

Where the Great Lord in royal state

Shall eat the Bread of His desire.

"Then to the spacious upper room

The Host will bid you onward fare, Round many a nook of deepest gloom, Up many a broken wearying stair.

The handmaid Penance hath been there, And swept and garnished all the place. Haste, and with loyal hands prepare For Me and Mine the Feast of Grace."

Thou spak'st, and we thine infants bore,
And bathed them in the Living Well
That gushes out beside the door,

Where Thou, O Lord, delight'st to dwell:
Then lowly on our knees we fell,

And prayed, that through the world's hot day
Dews from that hour, a balmy spell,
Might gently freshen all their way,

Now, trembling still as they advance
Up the far shadowing awful nave,
Full oft we bid them backward glance

Where gleaming from its heavenly cave,

The Saviour's side,-the healing wave Falls in the fount of their new birth.

The ears that hear its murmuring, crave No tinsel melodies of earth.

When to the Chancel arch they come,
"Pause here," we say, "and search with fear
If yet the pledge of your high doom
Upon the sealed brow appear.

If worn and faint, by many a tear
Renew the lines, then humbly kneel

Till He invite-till sure and near The gliding of soft wings ye feel.

"Then to the inner shrine make haste, Fall prostrate with anointed brows,

Adore, and of the Adored taste.

Such bliss the Love untold allows."

Of old, we read, the intrusted Spouse Her infants to the Anointing led

Straight from the Laver and the vows;— Yea, Christ was then the children's bread.