THE PATH OF DUTY.

GEMS are glittering bright before me, India's treasures are around, Flowers of brightest hues are o'er me, Blooming on enchanted ground.

But these gilded baits of pleasure,
From a foreign land unknown,
May not dare not-be my treasure,
Though I dwell a pilgrim lone!

Rather let the desert hide me,

'Till the chastening hand of Love To a better home shall guide me, With a radiance from above.

Earth-born joys, how soon they leave us, With an aching wounded heart; Planting thorns that rankling grieve us With a deep and cruel smart!

Oh, then, withering buds of beauty,
Smile not thus to bind me here,
For the lonely path of duty,

Must be mine-though dark and drear.

Israel's Shepherd! gently lead me,
Where sweet Shiloh's waters flow;

In the lowly valley feed me,

Where thy flocks in safety go.

Teach me to thy voice to hearken,
Humbly following thy behest,

Then, when night the earth shall darken,
Take me to thy fold of rest!

VANITY OF THE WORLD.

AH! why should this immortal mind,
Enslaved by sense, be thus confined,
And never, never rise?

Why thus amus'd with empty toys,
And sooth'd with visionary joys,
Forget her native skies?

The mind was form'd to mount sublime,
Beyond the narrow bounds of time,
To everlasting things:

But earthly vapours cloud the sight,
And hang with cold, oppressive weight,
Upon her drooping wings.

The world employs its various snares,
Of hopes and pleasures, pains and cares,
And chain'd to earth I lie :

When shall my fetter'd powers be free,
And leave these seats of vanity,
And upward learn to fly?

Bright scenes of bliss, unclouded skies,
Invite my soul-Oh, could I rise,
Nor leave a thought below!

I'd bid farewell to anxious care,
And say to every tempting snare,
Heaven calls, and I must go.

Heaven calls, and can I yet delay ?
Can aught on earth engage my stay?
Ah, wretched lingering heart!

Come Lord, with strength, and life, and light,
Assist and guide my upward flight,

And bid the world depart!

"GOD IS LIGHT.”

ETERNAL Light! Eternal Light!
How pure the soul must be,
When placed within thy searching sight
It shrinks not-but with calm delight,
Can live and look on Thee!

Oh how shall I, whose native sphere
Is dark, whose mind is dim,
Before the Ineffable appear,
And on my naked spirit bear
That uncreated beam.

There is a way for man to rise,
To that sublime abode;
An Off'ring and a Sacrifice,
A Holy Spirit's energies,

An Advocate with God.