(XXV.) THE PLACE OF REFUGE.

["A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest." Is. xxxii. 2.]

THE clouds are gathering in the distant sky; I hear the fiercely muttering thunders roll; Terrors invade my breast; my trembling soul Looks forth around, but sees no refuge nigh. Ah, whither shall I flee? What friendly hand Shall guide me to some safe, select retreat, Where, while the dark, perpetual tempests beat, Unscathed, uninjured, I may safely stand? He comes! He comes! I see the platted crown; I see the bleeding feet, the wounded side. Now let the bellowing storm rush fiercely down, Thy smile shall comfort me, Thine arms shall hide. With Thee, Thou dear Redeemer, are no fears; Thou scatterest all my doubts, and wipest all my tears.

(XXVI.) GOD WORSHIPPED IN HIS WORKS.

["The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament showeth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." Ps. xix. 1, 2, 3.]

MEN use a different speech in different climes,
But Nature hath one voice and only one.
Her wandering moon, her stars, her golden sun,
Her woods and waters, in all lands and times,
In one deep song proclaim the wondrous story.
They tell it to each other in the sky,
Upon the winds they send it sounding high,
Jehovah's wisdom, goodness, power, and glory.
I hear it come from mountain, cliff, and tree,
Ten thousand voices in one voice united;
On every side the song encircles me,

The whole round world reveres and is delighted.

Ah! why, when heaven and earth lift up their voice, Ah! why should man alone nor worship nor rejoice?

(XXVII.) THE HIDDEN LIFE.

["Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Col. iii. 2, 3.]

My life is folded in the life of Jesus,

No longer mine, but purchased by that tide,

That crimson tide, which shed on Calvary, frees us
From those dark stains that in our hearts abide.
MY LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST, and I am His.
Whate'er his will, that am I bound to do;
If He doth call me to far lands and seas,
I hear his summons, and his steps pursue.
Where'er He goes, I cannot stay behind;
In what He does, my hand shall have employ;
Whene'er He suffers, sorrow fills my mind;
When He rejoices, I partake the joy.

He bought me by his blood, and I am his;
I have no other will, no other grief nor bliss.

(XXVIII.) HELP IN THE WILDERNESS.

["Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?" Cant. viii. 5.]

ALAS! We travel in the desert now,

Obscure our way, perplexed the paths we tread;
With thorns and briars the vales are overspread,
The mountains fright us with their angry brow.
But who is this that hears us in distress,

And when we fear we ne'er shall travel through,
Doth sudden burst upon our raptured view,
And goes before us in the wilderness?
The Saviour comes! We lean upon his arm,
And resting there, find strength amid our woe;
The tempests cease, that filled us with alarm,
And o'er the burning plains the fountains flow.
No more the storms assail, the thunders roll,
But angels' songs are heard, and pleasures fill the soul.

(XXIX.) TRUST IN THE SAVIOUR.

["It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in princes." Ps. cxviii. 8, 9]

IN man, estranged and weak, put not thy trust,
Who, like the "flower of grass," doth pass away.
His friendships, like himself, shall soon decay,
His powers, his gifts, his promises are dust.
But there is one in whom thou canst repose
Unshaken confidence, who will impart
Security to every broken heart,

And give thee victory over all thy foes.
The love of Jesus Christ will never fail,
The love of thy Redeemer ne'er grow cold.
When friends are faint, and enemies wax bold,
Thou shalt arise, and in his strength prevail.
Gird on thine armor; strive in Jesus' name;
In that and that alone thou'lt ne'er be put to shame.