"When they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments."
AND even the very walls of the dread place,
And the tall windows with their breathing lights,
Speak to the adoring heart, and say, No base
Or week-day garb may him beseem, who writes
God's message here in hearts of men,-invites
To the bright nuptial feast of joy and grace.
But Angels waiting on our awful rites
Should in our frail and mortal Angel trace
Some hue of their own robes, what time they raise
The censer, heaped with prayer, before the throne:
And Innocents, in wonder moved to gaze
On the new glory, mantling forms well-known,
Should ask and learn the clue to Angels' ways:—
"The vision is for the pure heart alone.”
"the Levites which were the singers,......with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen."
WITHIN a reverend Minster I have stood,
As one to whom, for many a godless deed,
The Choir was clos'd :-fit penance and due meed
Sad conscience own'd it :-one by one I view'd
With wistful eye the entering multitude.
At last with joyous step, but sober heed
Of holy things, like fawns in forest mead,
Timid yet happy, the white-robed brood
Of Choristers swept by :-then musings came,
"What happier dawn of being than to meet
Matins and vespers here with punctual feet?
What happier close, than here in peace to lay,
Wearing the white robe still, th' exhausted frame,
And so, through life, Heaven's garb and speech assay?"
"And unto her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen white and clean."
ONCE more unto thine Altar, Lord, once more,
In vesture of thy Saints: for Joy and Love
Have vow'd, to day, their best on earth to prove,
And Pureness, guardian sole of their rich store
Of blessing and delight. Arm we the more
Both heart and limb with brightness from above:
So may we scare the noisome beasts that rove
There busiest, where Earth's rapture most runs o'er.
Well are they warn'd, who in that dangerous bliss
May on some Innocent look down, array'd
In bridal white, flower of the nuptial band,
Unconscious, yet o'erjoy'd: nor far amiss
Deem they perchance, who in that smiling maid
Heaven's youngest Angel see, with wreath in hand.
"Bring forth the best robe, and put it ou him."
BUT what if Chrisom robes be sin-defil'd,
If nuptial white of broken vows bear trace,
If he who daily in the holy Place
Wears the bright albe, in heart be gross and wild,
So that the stones, whereon the shrine is pil'd,
Seem to cry out, "Who hath requir'd this grace
Of thee, the consecrated floor to pace,
Thrice pledg'd and thrice forsworn ?" O Saviour mild,
Hast Thou, for these, a white robe yet in store?
Yea the Church path is by the fount of tears,
And a grave Angel stands beside the door,
Laden with vest for contrite pilgrims meet.
Him trust with all; sad memories and dim fears:
Then kneel in white before the Mercy-seat.
VIII. WHITE UPON THE ALTAR.
"He bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the inen."
O LORD, give gracious humbleness of heart,
And chaste and grave imaginings, in awe
Veiled evermore, that as we nearer draw
To thy tremendous Altar, or impart
Unto thy little ones the skill and art
Of holy things, and the mysterious law
Whereby Faith sees whate'er Apostles saw,
No ill may glance or eye or mind athwart.
So unreproved may we to babes declare
The secret of the Altar's snow-white pall,
And of the linen garment, bright and fair,
Spread o'er the glorious Sacrifice when all
Have tasted. 'Tis as JESUS' winding sheet,
And theirs, who die clasping His sacred Feet.
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