Thro' all the dangerous paths of youth,
Do thou my leader be;
Teach me to walk the way of truth,
Dear" Lord, remember me."
When wicked children would entice,
I flee;
Their councils may
O! keep me from the paths of vice,
And thus" remember me."
And when life's journey shall be o'er,
Thy mercy may I see;
Dear Jesus I would ask no more
Than this" Remember me.'
"Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."Matt. xix. 14.
MAY God, who reigns enthron'd on high,
In yon bright world beyond the sky,
With tender pity condescend
To be my father and my friend.
If thou forsake me I shall stray
Far from religion's narrow way;
And for my sad companions chuse
Those children who thy love abuse.
No. 50.] [Monday. FORTITUDE is being ready to do what is right, and what God requires of us, whatever be the consequences; to be afraid of nothing but what is displeasing to God.
"Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which, after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."Luke xii. 4, 5.
WHERE should I be, if God should say,
I must not live another day;
And send to take away my breath.
What is eternity-and death?
My body is of little worth,
"Twould soon be mingled with the earth;
For we were made of clay, and must
Again, at death, return to dust.
But where my living soul would go,
I do not, and I cannot know;
For none were e'er sent back to tell,
The joys of heav'n or pains of hell,
Oh! let me then at once apply
To him who did for sinners die ;
And this shall be my great reward,
To dwell for ever with the Lord.
OMNISCIENCE OF GOD. [Wednesday.
"Thou God seest me."-Gen. xvi. 13.
THOUGH midnight darkness veil the skies,
And hide me from all human eyes,
Yet, Lord, thy piercing gaze can dart
Through all, and see my naked heart.
Though earth and sea combine to spread
A shelter for the sinner's head,
They cannot stay the vengeful rod,
Nor screen him from the wrath of God.
I cannot 'scape thy searching eye;
Then, Lord, examine me, and try:
Pluck out whate'er offendeth thee,
And make me what I ought to be.
O, let not one permitted sin
Lurk my deceitful heart within,
Safe in thy paths my footsteps guide,
And hold me, that I may not slide.
SAD was my heart, and sad the night,
When last I heard my mother sigh;
'Twas then her cheeks grew cold and white,
For death was passing by.
In silent sorrow gush'd the tear,
And bathed my mother's winding shroud;
Then to the tomb slow moved the bier,
I wept her dirge aloud.
"Oh! sleep, my mother! now the grave
"Will gently lull thee to thy rest,
"And hush the fury of the wave
"That rolled against thy breast."
To heaven I lift my trembling hands,
There dwells a friend though all were dead:
He gives the wound, while mercy stands
And heals the heart that bled.
No. 54.] MISFORTUNES ADVANTAGEOUS. [Friday.
In all misfortunes this advantage lies,
They make us humble, and they make us wise;
Let's bear it calmly, tho' a grievous woe;
And still adore the hand that gives the blow;
And he that can acquire such virtue, gains
An ample recompence for all his pains.
THE happiest man that ever breath'd on earth,
With all the glories of estate and birth,
Had yet some anxious care to make him know
No grandeur was above the reach of woe.
To be from all things that disquiet, free,
Is not consistent with humanity.
ALL who in Jesus Christ believe,
All who his precious word receive,
Where'er they be, at home, abroad,
These form the gen'ral church of God.
The rich, the poor, the high, or low,
With Jesus no distinction know:
The wise and simple, young and old,
Alike are welcome to his fold.
They are his people: he will keep
And guide them as his chosen sheep;
Here mercy shall to them be given,
And everlasting bliss in heaven,
"Dare to tell truth, nothing can need a lie ;
The fault that needs it most grows two thereby."
ON all occasions to declare the truth
Is most praise-worthy in a virtuous youth;
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