So let us both kneel down, and pray
That we may be forgiven,-
Our scarlet sins all wash'd away,
Our souls made fit for heaven.

"REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR."

ERE the morning of life be gone by,
Or the eve of probation comes on,-
When old age makes thee say, with a sigh,
"Alas! all my pleasure is gone!"
Ere the bright sun of youth becomes dark,
Or the moonlight of hope's on the wane,
Or the stars of delight lose their spark,
And "the clouds return after the rain,"-
Let the Saviour's sweet voice be obey'd,
Ere the age of infirmity come,-
When the blossom of life 'gins to fade,
And thou art approaching the tomb :

Let that blessing, Religion, be thine,
Ere thy days turn to sorrow and pain,
Or affection begins to decline,

And "the clouds return after the rain."

O how great are the blessings that spring
From an early surrender to God!
It lends to the spirit a wing,

When the body returns to its clod:
Then, dear children, the Saviour obey,
Whilst the powers of reason remain,—
Ere the bloom on the cheek dies away,
And "the clouds return after the rain.”

Soon, soon, the blest season will end,
And the dark boding winter appear,-
When no life-giving showers descend,
And hope is sunk down in despair;
Then the comforts of life are all fled,

And the world appears wretched and vain,

But all hopes of a better are dead,

And "the clouds have come after the rain."

Then, while the gay morning of youth
Sheds its health-giving balm on the soul,
Remember thy GOD of a truth,-

Submit to his gracious control;
Then thou shalt be happy in life,
And happy when life's at a close,-
Then arise from this valley of strife,
To a world of unending repose.

S. S.

J. F. Winks, Printer, High street, Leicester.