"What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" -Rev. vii. 13.
WHAT are these in bright array ?
This innumerable throng,
Round the altar, night and day,
Tuning their triumphant song?
"Worthy is the Lamb once slain,
Blessing, honor, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches, to obtain,
These through fiery trials trod;
These from great affliction came;
Now before the throne of God,
Sealed with his eternal name,
Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor palms in every hand,
Through their great Redeemer's might,
More than conquerors they stand.
Hunger, thirst, disease unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed;
Them the Lamb amidst the throne
Shall to living waters lead.
Joy and gladness banish sighs;
Perfect love dispels their fears;
And for ever from their eyes
God shall wipe away all tears.
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee."- Numb. vi. 24.
PARTING Soul! the flood awaits thee,
And the billows round thee roar :
Yet look on, the crystal city
Stands on yon celestial shore!
There are crowns and thrones of glory,
There the living waters glide;
There the just, in shining raiment,
Wander by Immanuel's side.
Linger not, the stream is narrow,
Though its cold, dark waters rise;
He who passed the flood before thee
Guides the path to yonder skies:
Hark! the sound of angels, hymning,
Rolls harmonious o'er thine ear:
See the walls and golden portals
Through the mist of death appear.
Soul, adieu! this gloomy sojourn
Holds thy captive feet no more;
Flesh is dropped, and sin forsaken,
Sorrow done, and weeping o'er.
Through the tears thy friends are shedding
Smiles of hope serenely shine;
Not a friend remains behind thee,
But would change his lot for thine.
"He giveth his beloved sleep."— Ps. cxxvii. 2.
LIE down in peace to take thy rest!
Dear, cherished form! no longer mine,
But bearing in thy clay-cold breast
A hidden germ of life divine ;
Which, when the eternal spring shall bloom,
Will burst the shackles of the tomb.
Lie down in peace to take thy rest!
Unbroken will thy slumbers be;
Satan can now no more molest,
And death has done his worst on thee;
Lie down, thy hallowed sleep to take,
Till clothed with glory thou shalt wake.
Lie down in peace to take thy rest!
We can no longer watch thy bed,
But glorious angels, spirits blest,
Shall guard thee day and night instead ;
And when thine eyes unclosed shall be,
Christ in his glory they shall see.
Lie down in peace to take thy rest!
My eyes must weep,·
But to thy soul, with Jesus blest,
For comfort and for hope I turn;
Thou wilt not mark these tears that flow,
Sorrow can never reach thee now.
Lie down in peace to take thy rest!
Let me betake myself to prayer,
Binding faith's corselet on my breast,
Lest Satan find an entrance there;
though now his gift he claim,
Still, blessed be his holy name!
"He endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” — Heb. xi. 27.
ARE nature's charms all hidden
For ever from my view?
Am I in darkness bidden
My journey to pursue ?
My Father! O my Father!
Thy child can trust thee still,
And strength from thee can gather,
To suffer all thy will.
Though many a form be shrouded,
That once inspired delight,
My soul's clear eye, unclouded,
And filled with inward light,
May gaze with steadier vision
On things to faith revealed,
And wait in meek submission
For all to be unsealed.
Vain things that once deluded,
The world's false glare and show,
By loss of sight excluded,
Nor please, nor tempt me now.
Should I not welcome blindness,
If sent, my God, by thee,
In thy parental kindness,
To break earth's spells for me?
O, if this sad privation,
Which men misfortune deem, Make Christ and his salvation "The one thing needful" seem, I then shall gain that treasure, Impervious to decay, Which care, ambition, pleasure, Might else have snatched away.
On thee, my God! reclining,
From things external freed,
Calm, peaceful, unrepining,
I go where thou shalt lead,
Loved looks, still lovelier seeming,
In memory's glow arrayed,
On me are ever beaming,
Undimmed by sorrow's shade.
Loved voices still can cheer me,
Sweet birds my ear can charm,
Kind guardians, ever near me,
Watch to protect from harm;
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