Or from a falling apple wisely draw
Reflections forth on gravitation's law.
Yet in a Newton's heart, humility supplied
The vain and empty place of human pride;
It seem'd to him that he had done no more
Than wander as a child upon the shore,
Collecting here and there within his reach

Some curious weed, or pebble from the beach;
Some prettier shell, or sea-roll'd stone that lay
More polish'd than another on his way;
While far before him ocean dark as night
Discovery's field, lay stretch'd far out of sight;

But had he been permitted still to scan
Far deeper into God's mysterious plan,

What would it have avail'd him in the day
"When all disguises shall be swept away?"
What profit had it been to him, unless

He walk'd with God his "ways of pleasantness? (8

(9) "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."-Proverbs iii. 17.

Had not the Gospel's "path of peace" been known,
Had he not made the "pearl of price”(9) his own?

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls: who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."Matthew xiii. 46.

THOUGHTS ON RELIGION,

A POEM.

FROM that once holy spot, from EDEN's bower,
Where joys immortal wing'd each happier hour,—
Where the cool fountain flowed, and zephyr threw
Its breath o'er every leaf that sipp'd the dew,—
Where man in innocence the garden trod,
Peace all his portion, till he fell from God,-

One never-drooping plant is left to bless

"The thorny path of life's rough wilderness." Sweeter its blossoms than the scented gale

Which sweeps each blushing flower in Cashmere's vale;(1)

(1) Cashmere is a valley of India, near Mount Himmaleh, surrounded on every side by lofty mountains towering amid regions of snow. The periodical rains which deluge the rest of India, are, on account of its enclosed situation, shut out of Cashmere, so that light showers only fall there; but these are sufficient to feed some thousands of cascades, which are precipitated into the valley; its soil is very rich, and celebrated for the production of beautiful flowers.

B

Sweeter by far than all Panchaia's(2) store,

Than all Arabia's perfum'd cup can pour;

Whose clinging tendrils, as they twine the heart,

Far more than earthly blessing can impart.

Is this religion? best and sole relief

When adverse fortune fills the mind with grief?

Is it the herb whose balm can give us rest,
When blighted hopes, or fears, distract the breast?
A gift of healing by "our Father" given,

To raise the abject soul from earth to heaven?
Yes! from thy roots pure living waters flow,
For each vicissitude of human woe;

Through thee, Religion, the afflicted, weak,
And fainting man, can consolation seek:

With thee his monitor, beneath thy laws,

Can walk in safety, study "wisdom's cause," (3)

(2) Panchaia, a part of Arabia Felix, from which myrrh, cassia, and other spices, are obtained.

(3) David, in pondering on the shortness of man's life, is led to exclaim, "Lord, teach us so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."