Seems tun'd as truly to our hearts As when, twelve weary months ago, 'Twas moaning bleak, so high and low,

You would have thought Remorse and Woe Had taught the innocent air their sadly thrilling parts.

Is it, CHRIST's light is too divine,

We dare not hope like Him to shine?

But see, around His dazzling shrine

Earth's gems the fire of heaven have caught;

These we have scorn'd, O false and frail!

And now once more th' appalling tale,

How love divine may woo and fail,

Of our lost year in heaven is told

What if as far our life were past,

Our weeks all number'd to the last,

With time and hope behind us cast,

And all our work to do with palsied hands and cold?

O watch and pray ere Advent dawn!

For thinner than the subtlest lawn

"Twixt thee and death the veil is drawn.
But Love too late can never glow :
The scatter'd fragments Love can glean,
Refine the dregs, and yield us clean
To regions where one thought serene

Breathes sweeter than whole years of sacrifice below.

ST. ANDREW'S DAY.

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias; and he brought him unto Jesus. St. John i. 42.

WHEN brothers part for manhood's race,

What gift may most endearing prove

To keep fond memory in her place,
And certify a brother's love?

'Tis true, bright hours together told,
And blissful dreams in secret shar'd,

Serene or solemn, gay or bold,

Shall last in fancy unimpair'd.

Even round the death-bed of the good
Such dear remembrances will hover,

And haunt us with no vexing mood

When all the cares of earth are over.

But yet our craving spirits feel,

We shall live on, though Fancy die,

And seek a surer pledge—a seal

Of love to last eternally.

Who art thou, that would'st grave thy name Thus deeply in a brother's heart?

Look on this saint, and learn to frame Thy love-charm with true Christian art.

First seek thy Saviour out, and dwell.
Beneath the shadow of his roof,

Till thou have scann'd his features well,
And known Him for the Christ by proof;

Such proof as they are sure to find,

Who spend with him their happy days,
Clean hands, and a self-ruling mind
Ever in tune for love and praise.

Then, potent with the spell of heaven,
Go, and thine erring brother gain,
Entice him home to be forgiven,

Till he, too, see his Saviour plain.

Or, if before thee in the race,

Urge him with thine advancing tread, Till, like twin stars, with even pace

Each lucid course be duly sped.

No fading frail memorial give

To soothe his soul when thou art gone, But wreaths of hope for aye to live,

And thoughts of good together done.

That so, before the judgment-seat,

Though chang'd and glorified each face, Not unremember'd ye may meet

For endless ages to embrace.