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DESPAIR, AND ITS REMEDY.

"Having no hope, and without God in the world."Ephesians ii. 12.

"The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores."-Isaiah i. 5 6.

"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?"-Jeremiah viii. 22.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."-Isaiah i, 18.

"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."-Matthew xi. 28.

HOPE! there is none for me, not one bright ray Of blessed hope to cheer my spirit's sadness; No golden gleam of an eternal day,

A state of sinless joy and heavenly gladness!

On it comes, the sweeping blast,

But the proud ship bears it well; Though the spray bedew her mast As the raging billows swell; For her sails are furled and ready, All her seamen brave and steady.

Christian sailor, fear the calm, Dread the smooth, unruffled sea,

Though it seem a false alarm,

There is danger nigh to thee. Close the portholes, watch and pray, Keep a look-out night and day.

Now the tempest's furious sweep
Dashes o'er the mast and sail,
'Mid the yawning billows deep
Disappears the vessel frail;-

Righted now,

she floats again

O'er the rough and stormy main.

Jesus is thy pilot wise,

Christian, fear not, He is near;
Lord of earth, and sea, and skies,
He thy feeble bark shall steer,
Till the storms-the dangers past,
Thou shalt gain heaven's port at last.

PAUL THE AGED.

"YET for love's sake I rather bescech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ."-Philemon, ver. 9.

SEE in yon lonely prison cell

An aged man, his white hairs tell
Of waning years, and o'er his brow
The deepening shades of sorrow grow.
Can this be he, the man of pride,
Who lived a Saviour to deride?

Who sought to slay the saints of God
With persecution's iron rod;

Who, breathing slaughter as a flame,

Brought death and woe where'er he came?
Aye! 'tis the same, but where the ire
That proudly swelled his eye of fire?
And the stern frown that o'er his brow
Cast its dark shade-where is it now?
His eyes have lost their flash of pride,
For they have seen the Crucified;
And now with holy fervour burn
As raised in prayer to heaven they turn.
His grateful spirit longs to tell
Of the true friend he loved so well;
His heart is tuned to sing the praise

Of Jesu's name in glowing lays.
And in that lonely prison-room,
Heedless of its sad, cheerless gloom,

He breathes the words of peace and love,
Filled with an unction from above.

Blest martyr! now thy course is run

The battle fought, the victory won;

For thee a crown of glory waits,

And heaven unfolds her golden gates.
Soon shall thy gracious Master say,
"Come, faithful servant, come away,
Where streams of endless pleasures roll,
There shalt thou rest thy weary soul."

THE DYING GIRL.

"AND it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom."Luke xvi. 22.

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."Heb. i. 14.

"LOOSEN thy hold, sweet mother, let me go, And leave this land-this mournful land of

woe;

I long to flee away, and be at rest

To lay my weary head on Jesu's breast;

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