THE INVITATION.

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."- Rev. xxii. 17.

"COME, WHO WILL,"

the voice from heaven,

Like a silver trumpet, calls:

"COME, WHO WILL," the Church hath given

Back the echo from the walls.

"Come" to rivers ever flowing

From the high, eternal throne;

"Come," where God, his gifts bestowing,
In the Church on earth is known.

Heavenly music, — each who listens,
Longing for his spirit's home,
While his eye with rapture glistens,

Burns to say,

"I come,

I come."

EMPTY AND FLEETING.

"Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.". Eccl. i. 2.

Ан, how empty, ah, how fleeting,

Is the life of mortal man!

Like the flow of rapid river,
Pausing in its pathway never,-
So our days are flowing, ever.

Ah, how empty, ah, how fleeting, Is the joy of sighing man! Transient as a moment's treasure, Mocking like a shadow's measure, So is man's uncertain pleasure.

Ah, how empty, ah, how fleeting,
Does all human beauty seem!
Like the form of a fragile flower,
Withering in an evil hour, -
So is beauty's fading power.

Ah, how empty, ah, how fleeting,
Is the honor of mankind!

Yesterday, the hero hoary
Was the theme of every story,
Now he lies disrobed of glory.

Ah, how empty, ah, how fleeting,
Is the wealth of eager man!
Fire consumes while he is sleeping,
Floods come on, in fury sweeping,-
Man is left alone, and weeping.

Ah, how empty, ah, how fleeting,
Are the things of human life!
All things here together taken
May be gone ere we awaken,-
Faith alone remains unshaken.

MICHAEL FRANK.

THE HEAVENLY REST.

"There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God."- Heb. iv. 9.

THERE is an hour of peaceful rest,
To mourning wanderers given;
There is a joy for souls distressed,
A balm for every wounded breast,
'Tis found alone in heaven.

There is a soft, a downy bed,
Far from these shades of even;
A couch for weary mortals spread,
Where they may rest the aching head,
And find repose,—in heaven.

There is a home for weary souls,
By sin and sorrow driven;
When tossed on life's tempestuous shoals,
Where storms arise, and ocean rolls,

And all is drear; - 't is heaven.

There faith lifts up her cheerful eye,
To brighter prospects given;
And views the tempest passing by,
The evening shadows quickly fly,
And all serene, in heaven.

There fragrant flowers immortal bloom,
And joys supreme are given :

There rays divine disperse the gloom:
Beyond the confines of the tomb

Appears the dawn of heaven.

W. B. TAPPAN.

CHRIST UNCHANGING.

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever."- Heb. xiii. 8.

CHANGE is written everywhere,

Time and death o'er all are ranging;

Seasons, creatures, all declare,

Man is mortal, earth is changing.

Life, and all its treasures, seem
Like a sea in constant motion;
Thanks for an eternal beam,

Shining o'er the pathless ocean.

One by one, although each name
Providence or death will sever;
Jesus Christ is still the same,

Yesterday, to-day, for ever.

HEAVEN ANTICIPATED.

"Knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance."— Heb. x. 34.

АH! why this disconsolate frame ?
Though earthly enjoyments decay,
My Jesus is ever the same,

A sun in the gloomiest day.
Though molten awhile in the fire,
'Tis only the gold to refine;
And be it my simple desire,

Though suffering, not to repine.

What can be the pleasure to me,
Which earth, in its fulness, can boast?
Delusive, its vanities flee,

A flash of enjoyment, at most!
And if the Redeemer could part,

For me, with his throne in the skies,

Ah! why is so dear to my heart

What he, in his wisdom, denies?

Though riches to others be given,
Their corn and their vintage abound;

Yet, if I have treasure in heaven,

Where should my affections be found?
Why stoop for the glittering sands,
Which they are so eager to share,
Forgetting those wealthier lands,

That form my inheritance there?