II.

The Saviour looked around, on many a face

Where new-born thoughts left visibly their trace-
On brow of Boyhood, seldom grave before—
On the world-hardened cheek and scornful eye,
Whose fount of tears, so many a winter dry,
That hour had felt the softening gush once more.

III.

He pointed to the throng with outstretched hand,

Then calm replied, "Behold them where they stand;

My brothers, sisters, mother, these alone.

For they, whoe'er shall hearken and fulfil

Of human kind My Heavenly Father's will,

Are the true kindred whom the Son shall own."

IV.

'Mid the vast audience one was present there, But lately called the Apostle's trust to bear,

By ties of lineage to his Lord most near

How throbbed his heart, that answer as he heard!
How oft returned each well-remembered word

In after-hours, like music, on his ear!

V.

Blest was his lot, transcending earthly praise,

His, in the Virgin Church's golden days,

To sit the highest at her council-board :

By many a title honoured and approved,

But most by that the title that he loved,

The few sweet words, "the brother of the Lord."

VI.

Others, as near in Friendship's bonds, or blood,

Like him beside the Saviour's cradle stood,

And watched the wondrous Babe with thoughtful

eyes

How through His childish talk the light divine

Would ofttimes flash, like streaks of fire that shine

Through the pale twilight of the northern skies.

VII.

Others had marked His walk of life unstained;
Boyhood's pure shrine by Passion unprofaned;

The heart, with Earth's most sweet affections warm, The soul, that seemed on higher themes intent;

The firm and chastened will, already bent

His Father's work thus early to perform.

VIII.

Yet, when the years of patient waiting spent,

Forth to His harvest-field the Preacher went,

Unnumbered signs they scorned or they forgot :

Yea, when His Father's kingdom to proclaim,
With hand of might and tongue of fire, He came
Unto His own, His own received Him not!

IX.

They closed their ears to truths that strangers prized, His power they mocked, His mercy they despised,

Entreaty, warning, threat alike were vain.

Scorn grew to hatred-till, with saddened heart,
From the loved spot He turned Him to depart,

Nor e'er beheld His childhood's haunts again.

X.

Not thus with James-what though by nature's tie Kinsman of Him, for Whom to live and die

Was Life's one task, its hope and its reward?—

By many a holier title may he claim,

Than Earth can give or take away, the name,
So justly dear, "the brother of the Lord."

XI.

Brother in love to souls for whom he toiled;

Brother in purity of heart unsoiled;

In pains he bore, in mighty works he wrought;

Brother in all that kindred hearts approve,

And by the last and dearest bond of love,

The Martyr's witness to the truths they taught !