the paths of virtue; she shall think evil thoughts and become impure; she shall become a lost creature in the great city, and, at last, I will cast her down from the precipice into everlasting burnings. Again he took his downward flight, but he no sooner came near the maiden, than he heard her sing the following words, with a voice that might have melted the rocks,—

'Other refuge have I none;

Hangs my helpless soul on thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone:

Still support and comfort me.'

Again he turned away defeated. The devil, can say, as did the enemies of the reformers, 'By their songs we are conquered.""

Guide me,

O thou

Great Jeho

vah.

OUR SHIELD OF SONG.

ALMOST PERSUADED.”

MR. SANKEY was with Mr. Moody in Philadelphia, years since, during the progress of a very interesting meeting at Dr. Reed's church, when many were being awakened, and sang this beautiful Gospel hymn, "Almost Persuaded." After the close of the meeting, an attorney, who had been very much interested, came forward and said that he was not only "almost " but "altogether persuaded" to put his trust in the Lord Jesus. This sweet song was used of the Holy Ghost in carrying the blessed Gospel of God's Son to his heart.

"Almost persuaded" now to believe;
"Almost persuaded" Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,

"Go, Spirit, go thy way,

Some more convenient day

On thee I'll call."

"Almost persuaded," come, come to-day;

"Almost persuaded," turn not away;

Jesus invites you here,

Angels are lingering near,

Prayers rise from hearts so dear:

O wanderer, come.

"Almost persuaded," harvest is past!

"Almost persuaded," doom comes at last!

"Almost" cannot avail;
"Almost is but to fail!

Sad, sad that bitter wail

"Almost-but lost!"

66 THERE IS A LAND OF PURE DELIGHT."

Isaac Watts.

WE learn from an American writer, who obtained his information on the spot, that the author of this familiar hymn, in which every image is said to be scriptural, every suggestion appropriate, and every association holy, - wrote it at Southampton, his native town, while sitting at the window of a parlor which overlooked the River Itchen, and in full view of the Isle of Wight, "beyond the swelling flood," representing "the land of pure delight,"—

"Where everlasting spring abides,

And never-withering flowers."

It is indeed a fair and beautiful type of that paradise of which the poet sung. It rises from the margin of the flood and swells into boundless prospect, all mantled in the richest verdure

of summer, checkered with forest growth, and fruitful fields under the highest cultivation, and gardens, and villas, and every adornment which the hand of man, in the series of ages, could create on such susceptible grounds. As the poet looked upon the waters then before him, he thought of the final passage of the Christian,—

Death, like a narrow sea, divides

This heavenly land from ours."

-Belcher.

Он, I do not know how we shall stand the first day in heaven. Do you not think we will break down in the song from over-delight? I once gave out in church the hymn:

"There is a land of pure delight,

Where saints immortal reign,"

and an aged man standing in front of the pulpit sang heartily the first verse, and then he sat down weeping. I said to him afterward," Father Linton, what made you cry over that hymn?" He said, "I could not stand it the joys that are coming."

-T. Dewitt Talmage.

"NOTICE the first trial that the world ever saw. God reads the charge, 'Where is Abel, thy brother?" Cain has the presumption to deny his guilt: 'I know not.' The trial proceeds: a brother's blood is the terrible accuser, and when sentence of banishment has been pronounced, the condemned man goes forth, crying out, 'My guilt is greater than I can bear.' From thy face shall I be hid.""

"I am thinking of another trial scene," said Mizpah, with such emotion that every one eagerly listened. "The judge is the infinite God, and the guilty one is my soul. The blood of Christ might cry out against me from the cross, as my accuser, but it speaketh better things than that of Abel;' it speaketh as my advocate,

'Five bleeding wounds he bears,

Received on Calvary;

They pour effectual prayers,

They strongly plead for me :

NOTE.-This hymn represents every step of the prodigal's experience, from the time when he says "I will arise," to the glad moment when the Father "owns him for his child." The story in Luke xv. should be read in connection with the hymn."