Each in his drear ravine, where never ray Even from the cold north-east in June might fall, They sleep in silence till th' appointed Day, Nor heed the Eagle's scream, the whirlwind's call. The wastes of vapour, veering round, now hide eye With aught of sin's sad burthen on his soul, shall cast, By a strong outstretch'd arm as yet upborne ? O surely then to his heart's deep is brought The prayer, the vow, there evermore to cling, And sickening turn from the wild heavenly thought, "What if at once o'er the dread verge I spring?" Retiring, sure he to a warning voice Will time his footsteps, on a true arm lean : What happy vale soe'er may crown his choice, That awful gulf, those rocks will be its screen. Lo, nestling at the mountain's further base, Its windings hide meet homes for pastoral men. Lord, if in such calm bowers a rest Thou give, The wrath o'ertake us on our bended knee. III. Early Encouragement. 1. TRUSTWORTHINESS. "The child JESUS tarried behind in Jerusalem." THE cares, the loves of parents fond And night and day They wish and pray That only good may there find way. But deeper lurk all breasts within The secrets both of grace and sin. To one dread Watcher only known. And far and wide On every side Our dreams dart on-no earthly guide. Glad may they be and calm of heart, On Jesus' work, in Jesus' Home : Who, out of sight, Know all is right, One law for darkness and for light. If in pure aims and deeds and prayers They find him not, what joy to know Where JESUS yearn'd To be ;-where heavenly Love is learn'd! Thou who didst teach Thy mother dear, In three dim days of doubt and fear, Thy Passion and its three days' woe, Prepare Thou still Our heart and will, And hearts that are as ours, for good and ill. 2. SAMUEL'S PRAYER. WITH joy the guardian angel sees Light from his pure aërial dream Some glorious Seraph, waiting by, More than we know, and all we need, |