Oh, well we know all earth-born joys, soon, soon must disappear,
Mid scenes of mirth we oft exclaim, " true pleasure dwells not here!"
And now in our Redeemer's strength, for grace we humbly pray,
To fix our hearts on things above, where joys ne'er pass away.
But in our journey through this life, with snares we oft shall meet,
Spread round by Satan, and the world, to catch the christian's feet,
But we must watch our wand'ring steps, and in temptation's hour,
Look up to Jesus, for his help, and safety from their power.
What! tho' the christian's way on earth, be filled with many a foe,
Yet, up the narrow path of life, with joy we humbly go.
Yes! we must follow in the path, our Lord has trod before,
Until, like him, we reach that land, where foes assail no more.
And those who serve their God betimes, and early seek his face,
The Lord has promised they shall find the riches of his grace;
So let us turn our hopes to him, and in his love confide,
Then he will be throughout this life, our Father and our guide.

ELLEN.

TRANSLATION OF MALAN'S CANTIQUE, lxxix.
How sweet, confidingly to rest,
Eternal Father, on thy breast,
In faith to seek thy guidance still,
To mark my path-to teach thy will.
Thou willest that I should resign
My daily cares, nor think them mine,
But to thy faithful goodness fly,
To raise and keep my soul on high.
Thou willest that the heaviest blow
Which wounds my spirit here below,
Should only make me look to thee,
More steadfastly, to set me free.
On Thee, O Jesus! I repose

All my solicitude and woes,

Nor shall the cares thou dost ordain,
Or blessings, reach my heart in vain.
Then let me not distress my soul,
With sinful plaints-but gladly roll
My fears and cares upon the Lord,
Who speaks this soul-reving word,
"My peace I give thee, never to depart,
But dwell to endless ages in thy heart."

A. Z. R.

A MOTHER'S PRAYER.
EVE's star hath heralded her train,
And sunset hues are fading,
Soft dews are shed o'er hill and plain,
And gloom all earth is shading;-
Sweet slumbers seal mine infant's eye,
A mother's prayer shall reach the sky.
TO THEE I kneel, whose hand hath given;—
And love with trembling gladness
Would dedicate the boon to heaven;

And e'er, in joy or sadness
That offering would renew and sign
My first-born treasure only Thine!
Thine let him be! for snares and death
Around life's path are clinging,
And sorrows blight with chilling breath,
The flowers in beauty springing;-
And hopes a meteor radiance fling,
While love and joy are vanishing.
Thine let him be! for earthly bliss
Her wildering tale is weaving,
And vain and fearful sophistries,
Are human hearts deceiving;—

And earth hath many a witching tone,
To lure astray the spirit lone.

Thine let him be in youth's glad morn!

Its first, rich freshness, thine!

Ere sorrow hath the spirit torn,
Its altar be a shrine,

Whence holy thoughts, as flame, shall rise,

In incense hallowed to the skies!

Thine let him be when woe and care

Life's untried pathway shade!
Thine, when his temples brightly wear
The wreath that soon must fade!
Thine let him be in joy's decline!
In life, in death's last moment, Thine!
Hear thou in heaven, who dost regard
The prayer that faith would wing!

Thy love shall own, and guide, and guard
A mother's offering!

Then deign, Lord, on his path to shine,

And seal this infant ever thine!

Kingston, Jamaica.

ADELINE.

THE

YOUTHS' MAGAZINE;

OR

Evangelical Miscellany.

OCTOBER, 1842.

"BEWARE OF DOGS."

THE apostle Paul in writing to the Philippians, cautions them, amongst other things, to "beware of dogs," (ch. iii. 2.) This opprobrious term is used in a variety of senses throughout the Scriptures: sometimes it is applied to persecutors, as in Ps. xxii. 16; at other times it is used to designate false teachers, or unholy men generally. The Jews applied it to the Gentiles as a term of contempt; and once, at least, it would seem to designate the evil one himself, (see Ps. xxii. 20.) In the text quoted at the head of this article, it appears to bear a meaning somewhat different from any of those referred to, and designates very strikingly those invidious, malignant, contentious persons who so well deserved the name. "L'Enfant," says Doddridge in a note upon this passage, "tells us of a custom at Rome, to chain dogs at the door of their houses, and to put an inscription over them, Beware of this dog,' to which he seems to think these words may refer." Petronius Arbiter speaks of a custom prevalent among the VOL. V. 4th SERIES.

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