THE OLD ARM CHAIR. I've treasured it long as a holy prize; 89 I've bedewed it with tears and embalmed it with sighs; 'Tis bound by a thousand bands to my heart; In childhood's hour I've lingered near The hallowed seat, with listening ear, And gentle words that mother would give, To fit me to die, and teach me to live. She told me shame would never betide, With truth for my creed, and God for my guide; She taught me to lisp my earliest prayer, As I knelt beside that old arm chair. I sat and watched her many a day, When her eye grew dim, and her locks were gray, 90 THE CHRISTIAN VOYAGER. 'Tis past! 'tis past! but I gaze on it now With a quivering lip, and a throbbing brow. 'Twas there she nursed me, 'twas there she died, And memory flows with lava tide: Say it is folly, and deem me weak, While the scalding drops start down my cheek: Che Christian Voyager. LAUNCH thy bark, mariner! Christian, God speed thee! Let loose the rudder bands-good angels lead thee! Set thy sails warily, tempests will come; Steer thy course steadily, Christian, steer home! Look to the weather-bow! breakers are round thee; Let fall the plummet now, shallows may ground thee; Reef in the foresail, there! Hold the helm fast! So-let the vessel wear-there swept the blast. GOD IS NIGH. 91 "What of the night, watchman, what of the night?" "Cloudy-all quiet-no land yet―all's right." Be wakeful, be vigilant-danger may be At an hour when all seemeth securest to thee. How! gains the leak so fast! Clear out the hold- Slacken not sail yet, at inlet or island; land; Crowd all thy canvass on, cut through the foam Christian! cast anchor now-Heaven is thy home! God is Nigh. HEAR'ST thou the awful thunder roll? See'st thou the lightning fly? 92 TRUE FRIENDSHIP. Ah! fear not then the dread alarm- Will keep thee ever safe from harm- And should the storms of life assail Cheerless has been my chequered day : This hope, alone, my only stay,- True Friendship. BY DONNOHU. IF scandal or censure be raised 'gainst a friend, Be the last to believe it, the first to defend; THE GERMAN WATCHMAN'S SONG. 93 Say to-morrow will come, and then time will unfold, That "one story's good till another is told!" A friend's like a ship, when with music and song The German Watchman's [The watchmen in Germany amuse themselves during the night by singing their national songs, as well as those of a more devotional character, of which the following is a specimen.] Hark ye, neighbours, and hear me tell, |