NATURE'S VOICES.
THERE are deep voices all around,
In earth and heaven above;
Oh! listen to each gentle sound
Of warning, or of love.-
The sun who rises earth to bless,
And light and confort brings,
Speaks of the Sun of Righteousness
With healing in His wings.
The stars proclaim with voice divine,
As through the heaven's they move,
Like us the sons of God shall shine
In their bright home above.
The wind that in its viewless course,
Sweeps mightily along,
Tells of the Holy Spirit's force,
So secret, free, and strong.
The birds that on unwearied wing,
Carol their joyful lays,
Bid our dull hearts arise and spring
To Heaven in prayer and praise.
Each tree that lifts its head on high,
Speaks of what God has given,
The tree whose leaves shall never die,
"The tree of Life" in Heaven.
The beauteous flowers, so fresh and fair,
They have their voices too,-
God, who to us extends His care,
The same will succour you.
And Spring, with her returning bloom
With all her verdant train,
Proclaim that from the silent Tomb,
We too shall rise again.
Yes there are voices far and near,
Nor can we count them all,
Mortals incline a thoughtful ear,
'Tis God vouchsafes to call.
BEAUTIFUL plant, clasping the ruin'd tower
That time hath wreck'd, and venturing fearless up
Into the frosty sky! hast thou a heart
For constant friendship, that thou thus dost dare
Peril and storm, and winter's tyranny,
With changeless brow?
Art thou a Christian, Ivy,-thus to clothe
The naked, and the broken heart to bind,
And bless the old, and cheer the desolate ?
A teacher sure thou art, and should'st be rank'd
Among the few who by example teach.
And should we linger here,
Till our props fall around us, and each rose
Fades in our grasp, oh ! might one friend remain,
Fond and unchanged like thee; we scarce should
heed
The touch of wasting time.
Thy leaf so fresh, so green, doth show to all
The young who wander near, how to be true
In love, and pitiful to woe, and kind
To hoary age, and with unchanging heart
Do good to those who render naught again.
MRS. SIGOURNEY.
"Thou shall call His name Jesus."-Matt. i, 21.
JESUS! the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
Tongue never spake, ear never heard,
Never from heart o'erflowed,
A dearer name, a sweeter word
Than Jesus, Son of God.
O hope of every contrite heart!
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah! this
No tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus! what it is,
None but His loved ones know.
Jesus! may all Thy saving name,
Thy wondrous love adore,
And seeking Thee, themselves inflame,
To seek Thee more and more!
Thee, Jesus! may our voices bless,
Thee may we love alone,
And ever in our lives express,
The image of Thine Own.
THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST TO
THE GENTILES.
Lo! in the east a guiding star!
The astonished magi from afar
Their precious off'rings bring,
To celebrate the Saviour's birth:
Good will to men, and peace on earth,
Rejoicing angels sing.
Who hath believed the truth divine ?
Behold your God! arise and shine!
Gentiles, your Saviour bless;
The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings,
Descends with healing in his wings,
The sun of righteousness!
Sing, O ye heavens! let earth rejoice:
The Saviour's come, lift up your voice
The mighty Prince of Peace!
. A child is born, a son is given,
The everlasting One from heaven
Whose reign shall never cease!
ADORATION OF THE MAGI. To Zion's hill the magi come, And royal treasures bring; Star-led, they left their eastern home, To bend to Christ, the King.
And, "Where is he" (they ask in vain)"The king who shall o'er Judah reign ?"
The Idumean monarch heard,
Who sat on David's throne;
And Judah, trembling, caught the word
That made Messiah known,
With careful eye, and anxious thought, The Jewish scribes the prophets sought.
The place is marked-the very place—
The star moves on again:
Its course the eastern strangers trace,
And follow in its train.
On-onward still it goes before:
It stops above a lowly door.
Yes, he whom ancient prophets saw,
There rests in humblest guise :
He, from whose lips is Jacob's law,
A feeble infant lies;
And these, by star and prophet led,
Are kneeling round that lowly bed.
They kneel, in gladness all untold;
Their monarch they adore;
And frankincense and myrrh and gold
Before his feet they pour.
Rejoicing, royal gifts they bring,
An offering unto Christ their King.
Jesus! we know thee, king of kings!
We own thy glorious sway:
We have no costly offerings
Before thy feet to lay ;
But help us near thy throne to live,
And all we are to thee to give.
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