THE LAW OF LOVE.

2 Kings iv. 1-6.

POUR forth the oil, pour boldly forth,

It will not fail, until
Thou failest vessels to provide,
Which it may largely fill.

But then, when such are found no more,
Though flowing broad and free,
Till then, and nourished from on high,
It straightway staunched will be.

Dig channels for the streams of Love,
Where they may broadly run;
And Love has overflowing streams
To fill them every one.

But if at any time thou cease
Such channels to provide,
The very founts of Love for thee
Will soon be parched and dried.

For we must share, if we would keep
That good thing from above;
Ceasing to give, we cease to have-

Such is the law of love.

ARCHBISHOP TRENCH.

THY WAY, NOT MINE
THY way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be!

Lead me by Thine own hand;
Choose out the path for me.

Smooth let it be, or rough,
It will be still the best ;
Winding or straight, it matters not,
It leads me to Thy rest.

I dare not choose my lot;
I would not, if I might :
Choose Thou for me, my God,
So shall I walk aright.

The kingdom that I seek

Is Thine; so let the way
That leads to it be Thine,
Else surely I might stray.

Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill;
As best to Thee may seem,
Choose Thou my good and ill.

Choose Thou for me my friends,
My sickness or my health;
Choose Thou my cares for me,
My poverty or wealth.

Not mine-not mine the choice,
In things or great or small;
Be Thou my guide, my strength,
My wisdom, and my all.

BONAR.

PASSING AWAY.

"Passing away is written on the world, and all the world contains."

It is written on the rose,

In its glory's full array ;
Read what those buds disclose-
"Passing away."

It is written on the skies

Of the soft blue summer day;
It is traced on sunset's dyes-
"Passing away."

It is written on the trees,

As their young leaves glistening play,
And on brighter things than these-
Passing away."

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It is written on the brow,

Where the spirit's ardent ray
Lives, burns, and triumphs now—
Passing away."

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It is written on the heart;

Alas! that there decay

Should claim from love a part-
"Passing away."

Friends! friends! oh, shall we meet
In a land of purer day,
Where lovely things and sweet

Pass not away?

Shall we know each other's eyes,
And the thoughts that in them lay,
When we mingled sympathies

"Passing away."

Oh, if this may be so,

Speed, speed, thou closing day!
How blest from earth's vain show
To pass away!

MRS HEMANS.

A VOICE FROM HEAVEN.

(ANTICIPATING RESURRECTION GLORY.)

I SHINE in the light of God;

His likeness stamps my brow;

Through the valley of death my feet have trod, And I reign in glory now!

No breaking heart is here,

No keen and thrilling pain,

No wasted cheek where the frequent tear
Hath rolled and left its stain.

I have reached the joys of heaven;
I am one of the sainted band;
For my head a crown of gold is given,
And a harp is in my hand.

I have learned the song they sing,
Whom Jesus has set free,

And the glorious walls of heaven still ring
With my new-born melody.

No sin, no grief, no pain;

Safe in my happy home;

My fears all fled, my doubts all slain,
My hour of triumph's come!

Oh! friends of mortal fears,

The trusted and the true!

Ye are watching still in the vale of tears, But I wait to welcome you.

Do I forget? Oh, no!

For memory's golden chain

Shall bind my heart to the hearts below,
Till they meet to touch again.

Each link is strong and bright,
And love's electric flame

Flows freely down like a river of light,
To the world from whence I came.

Do you mourn when another star
Shines out from the glittering sky?
Do you weep when the raging voice of war
And the storms of conflict die?

Then why should your tears run down,
And your hearts be sorely riven,
For another gem in the Saviour's crown,
And another soul in heaven.