A glorious band, the chosen few,

On whom the spirit came ; Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,

And mock'd the cross and flame. They met the tyrant's brandish'd steel,

The lion's gory mane : They bow'd their necks the death to feel !

Who follows in their train ?

A noble army--men and boys,

The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour's throne rejoice,

In robes of light array’d.
They climb’d the steep ascent of Heaven,

Through peril, toil, and pain!
Oh, God! to us may grace be given

To follow in their train !

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S DAY.

Oh, God! who gav'st thy servant grace,

Amid the storms of life distrest,
To look on thine incarnate face,

And lean on thy protecting breast :

To see the light that dimly shone,

Eclips’d for us in sorrow pale,
Pure Image of the Eternal One!

Through shadows of thy mortal veil !

Be ours, oh, King of Mercy! still

To feel thy presence from above,
And in thy word, and in thy will,

To hear thy voice and know thy love ;

And when the toils of life are done,

And nature waits thy dread decree,
To find our rest beneath thy throne,

And look, in humble hope, to Thee !

INNOCENT'S DAY.

Oh weep not o'er thy children's tomb,

Oh, Rachel, weep not so ! The bud is cropt by martyrdom,

The flower in heaven shall blow !

Firstlings of faith! the murderer's knife

Has miss'd its deadliest aim :
The God for whom they gave their life,

For them to suffer came!

Though feeble were their days and few,

Baptized in blood and pain,
He knows them, whom they never knew,

And they shall live again.

Then weep not o'er thy children's tomb,

Oh, Rachel, weep not so! The bud is cropt by martyrdom,

The flower in heaven shall blow!

SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS;

OR, CIRCUMCISION.

LORD of mercy and of might!
Of mankind the life and light !
Maker, teacher infinite !

Jesus ! hear and save!

Who, when sin's tremendous doom
Gave Creation to the tomb,
Didst not scorn the Virgin's womb,

Jesus ! hear and save!

Mighty monarch ! Saviour mild!
Humbled to a mortal child,
Captive, beaten, bound, revil'd,

Jesus! hear and save!

Throned above celestial things,
Borne aloft on angel's wings,
Lord of lords, and King of kings!

Jesus! hear and save!

Who shalt yet return from high, Robed in might and majesty, Hear us! help us when we cry!

Jesus ! hear and save!