PRAYER.

John Davidson.

WHEN with the morn I first awake, And glance upon the new-born day, Be gratitude my earliest theme,

Then kindly, Lord, teach me to pray.

Amidst the busy hum of men,

When each pursues his worldly way, Detach my mind from earthly cares And lead me oft to Thee to pray.

When evening's sable period comes,
Memento fit of life's decay,
Teach me Thy goodness to record,
And ere I go to rest, to pray.

Whene'er temptation me besets,

Protect me, that I may not stray; Defend my path, and grant me grace

To walk with Thee, I humbly pray.

What time good hope my soul doth cheer,

My thanks to Thee I will assay;

And when my spirit quails with fear,
Be it my privilege to pray.

When I approach life's closing scene, Good Lord, be Thou my help and stay ;

Be with me in the vale of death,

To Zion guide me—thus I pray.

TO AN INFANT.

Steele.

CAN I bid thee, little stranger,
Welcome to a world of care?

Where attends thee many a danger,
Where awaits thee many a snare ?

Hence, away, ye dark surmises,
Hope presents a fairer scene;
Many a blooming pleasure rises,
Many a sunbeam shines serene.

Oh,

may Providence defend thee! Circled in his guardian arms,

Dangers shall in vain attend thee,—
Safe amid surrounding harms.

Shall I wish the world caressing?
Wish thee pleasure, grandeur, wealth?
No-but many a nobler blessing-
Wisdom, virtue, friendship, health.

May'st thou know the gracious Donor,
Early know, and love, and praise !
Then shall real wealth and honour,
Peace and pleasure crown thy days.

PRAISE TO GOD.

Hogg.

BLESSED be Thy name for ever,
Thou of life the guard and giver ;
Thou canst guard thy creatures sleeping;
Heal the heart long broke with weeping.
God of stillness and of motion,

Of the desert and the ocean,

Of the mountain, rock, and river,
Blessed be thy name for ever.

Thou who slumberest not, nor sleepest, Blest are they thou kindly keepest; God of evening's parting ray,

Of midnight's gloom, and dawning day, That rises from the azure sea,

Like breathings of eternity;

God of life! that fade shall never,
Blessed be thy name for ever!

CHILDHOOD.

Scott.

CHILDHOOD, happy stage of life!
Free from care and free from strife,
Free from Memory's ruthless reign,
Fraught with scenes of former pain;
Free from Fancy's cruel skill,
Fabricating future ill!

Time, when all that meets the view,
All can charm, for all is new.

Then to toss the circling ball,

Caught rebounding from the wall;

Then the mimic ship to guide
Down the kennel's dirty tide;
Then the hoop's revolving pace
Through the dusty streets to chase;
O what joy! it once was mine,
Childhood, pleasing boon of thine!

THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.

Sir John Babies.

O IGNORANT poor man! what dost thou bear Lock'd up within the casket of thy breast? What jewels, and what riches hast thou there? What heavenly treasure in so weak a chest?

Look in thy soul, and thou shalt beauties find,
Like those which drown'd Narcissus in the flood:
Honour and pleasure both are in thy mind,
And all that in the world is counted good.

Think of her worth, and think that God did mean,
This worthy Mind should worthy things em-

brace :

Blot not her beauties with thy thoughts unclean, Nor her dishonour with thy passion base.