St. Stephen's Day. If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. ST. MATT. xvi. 24, 25. THE Son of God goes forth to war, His blood-red banner streams afar- Who best can drink his cup of woe Triumphant over pain ; Who patient bears his cross below, The martyr first, whose eagle eye Like him, with pardon on his tongue He prayed for them that did the wrong— Who follows in his train? A glorious band, the chosen few On whom the Spirit came; Twelve valiant Saints, their hopes they knew, And mocked the cross and flame. They met the tyrant's brandished steel, The lion's gory mane; They bow'd their necks the death to feel- A noble army-men and boys, Around their Saviour's throne rejoice, They climbed the steep ascent of Heaven, Through peril, toil, and pain; O God! to us may grace be given To follow in their train! These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. REV. vii. 14. St. John the Evangelist's Day. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven Churches. REV. i. 9-11. JOHN, by a tyrant's stern command, Is exil'd on a sea-girt strand; But his free spirit takes her flight And there, his awe-struck soul before, And now, before his ravished eyes, Our power Baptismal, Lord, revive, Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 JOHN V. 21. C |