THERE IS A BLEAK DESERT.

(AIR. - CRESCENTINI.)

THERE is a bleak Desert, where daylight grows

weary

Of wasting its smile on a region so dreary —

What may that Desert be?

'Tis Life, cheerless Life, where the few joys that come Are lost, like that daylight, for 'tis not their home.

There is a lone Pilgrim, before whose faint eyes
The water he pants for but sparkles and flies -
Who may that Pilgrim be?

'Tis Man, hapless Man, through this life tempted on By fair shining hopes, that in shining are gone.

There is a bright Fountain, through that Desert

stealing

To pure lips alone its refreshment revealing.

What may that Fountain be?

'Tis Truth, holy Truth, that, like springs under

ground,

By the gifted of Heaven alone can be found.*

There is a fair Spirit, whose wand hath the spell To point where those waters in secrecy dwell Who may that Spirit be?

'Tis Faith, humble Faith, who hath learn'd that, where'er

Her wand bends to worship, the Truth must be there!

* In singing, the following line had better be adopted,

"Can but by the gifted of Heaven be found."

SINCE first Thy Word awaked my heart,
Like new life dawning o'er me,
Where'er I turn mine eyes, Thou art,
All light and love before me.

Nought else I feel, or hear or see

All bonds of earth I sever

Thee, O GOD, and only Thee
I live for, now and ever.

Like him whose fetters dropp'd away
When light shone o'er his prison*,
My spirit, touch'd by Mercy's ray,
Hath from her chains arisen.

* And, behold, the angel of the LORD came upon him, and a light shined in the prison, and his chains fell off from his hands." Acts, xii. 7.

And shall a soul Thou bidst be free,

Return to bondage? - never! Thee, O GOD, and only Thee

I live for, now and ever.

HARK! "TIS THE BREEZE.

(AIR.

ROUSSEAU.)

HARK! 'tis the breeze of twilight calling
Earth's weary children to repose;
While, round the couch of Nature falling,
Gently the night's soft curtains close.
Soon o'er a world, in sleep reclining,
Numberless stars, through yonder dark,
Shall look, like eyes of Cherubs shining
From out the veils that hid the Ark.

Guard us, oh Thou, who never sleepest, Thou who, in silence throned above, Throughout all time, unwearied, keepest

Thy watch of Glory, Pow'r, and Love. Grant that, beneath thine eye, securely,

Our souls, awhile from life withdrawn, May, in their darkness, stilly, purely,

Like "sealed fountains," rest till dawn.