When our wills lie even with God's will, as in all reason they should, and our mind lies even with our condition, then have we inward peace and tranquillity, quietness and contentment. Heart's-ease in Heart-trouble, The service of God may become, beyond all other kind of labour, the most perfect rest to the soul. CAIRD. -"That benign medicinal tranquillity, without which life is a thing we hear of but never truly feel.-We become conscious of life in the degree, that our minds, though at work, are yet in repose-not unemployed, but at rest and peaceful. Work and repose are not antagonistic; they are each other's complement." Aloft in the quietest air Serenely the cloudlets repose; The God, who has made them so fair, It rests us to look on their calm ; Their softness-it softens our heart; Our hurry, distress, and alarm, They silently tell to depart. LYNCH. The true penitent, who begins to be principled in heavenly wisdom and consideration, submits himself gradually and gently to the Divine leading; at first, as to general things; next, as to particular things; and finally, as he advances in the gentleness and usefulness of regenerate life, as to things, events, and momentary contingencies the most minute and singular. Thus not only every day, but every hour and minute of the day, is sure to find him in a disposition to comply with Divine leading, whether it conduct him through joy or sorrow, through the gratification of his own inclinations, or their mortification; until, at length, he makes the happy discovery, that, to be led of himself or the world, is death and misery, but to be led of the Lord is life and peace. C. "Father! I know that all my life And the changes that will surely come, But I ask Thee for a present mind, "I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching wise, 'I would not have the restless will, That hurries to and fro, Or secret thing to know. I would be treated as a child, And guided where I go. "Wherever in the world I am, In whatsoe'er estate, I have a fellowship with hearts, And a work of lowly love to do, "So I ask Thee for the daily strength, And a mind to blend with outward life, While keeping at Thy side; "In a service which Thy love appoints, For my secret heart is taught the truth, For what is Freedom-rightly understood? The universal licence to be good. H. COLERIDGE. Pride, whether active or passive-whether it goes forth to claim the deference of mankind, or secludes itself from the danger of their disrespect-has always much at stake, and leads a life of caution and solicitude. Humility, on the contrary, has no personal objects, and leads its life in "the service which is perfect freedom." H. TAYLOR, Where there is most Love of God, there will be the truest and most enlarged Philanthropy. No other foundation is secure. There is no other means whereby nations can be reformed than that, by which alone individuals can be regenerated. In the laws of God, Conscience is made the basis of policy; and in proportion as human laws depart from the groundwork, error and evil are the sure result. SOUTHEY. "What is the weapon, prized by few, Though mightiest empires it hath grounded, Though oldest cities it hath founded, The flame of war it never lit, And happy they, who hold by it? Say! Prince, what may that weapon be, Or else-farewell to life and me ?" "I am not vanquished. That iron weapon, prized of few, yet gracing On the first day of each returning year ; } That weapon which, more harmless than the sword, Who from the wildest wastes of Tartary, Where only hunters roam and shepherds pasture, Blest in the calm protection of the law, Nor reverence that goodliest instrument, That gave these blessings birth-the gentle Plough." -Gozzi, Italian. Blackwood's Magazine. Heart of the People! Working Men, Marrow and nerve of human powers, Who on your sturdy backs sustain Through streaming time this world of ours ; And he who still and silent sits, Till from his busy thoughts they flow. Thus all must work with head or hand, Where we deny the healthy seed : Pasture and grain, or noisome weed. |