In lark and nightingale we see When Mary chose the better part, Was made for God's own temple meet; Fairest and best adorn'd is she, Whose clothing is humility. The saint that wears heaven's brightest crown, In deepest adoration bends; The weight of glory bows him down The most, when most his soul ascends; Nearest the throne itself must be The footstool of humility. THE CONTRITE HEART. THE Lord will happiness divine I hear, but seem to hear in vain, If aught is felt, 'tis only pain I sometimes think myself inclin'd But often feel another mind, My best desires are faint and few, Thy saints are comforted, I know, O make this heart rejoice or ache; And heal it, if it be. E THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS ECHO. TRUE faith, producing love to God and man, Must I my faith and love to Jesus shew, But if a brother hates and treats me ill, If he my failings watches to reveal, But if my name and character he blast, Whatever usage ill I may receive, Be patient still, and still forgive! Why, Echo, how is this? thou'rt sure a dove! Thy voice shall teach me nothing else but love! Nothing else but love! Amen! with all my heart, then be it so, Things being so, whoever me reject, Henceforth I'll roll on him my every care, But after all those duties I have done, Must I, in point of merit, them disown, Echo, enough! thy counsels to mine ear, Are sweeter than to flowers the dew-drop tear; Thy wise instructive lessons please me well: PRACTISE them. Farewell, farewell! "IT IS THE GLORY OF A MAN TO PASS OVER A TRANSGRESSION." THUS wisdom speaks aloud, and yet Pride hardly will resign: When injur'd, I can scarce tell how To pass the injury by; Nor let resentment die. The heaving billows swell within, Till all is tempest grown; But come, my proud, my selfish heart, Do I thus act the Christian part? Has Jesus acted so? |