That ne'er on brow of mortal birth Shall blend again the crowns of earth, Her many voices mingling own He shall descend, who rules above, Nor let Ambition heartless mourn; Her high desires may breathe ; Q'ercome thyself, and thou may'st share The world's imperial wreath. * Zephaniah iii. 9. "Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent." I Revelations iii. 21. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne." TUESDAY IN WHITSUN-WEEK. When He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them. St. John x. 4. 66 (Addressed to Candidates for Ordination.) LORD, in thy field I work all day, "Alas! the weary course I run! "Like sailors shipwreck'd in their dreams, What? wearied out with half a life? How could'st thou hang upon the cross, Or how the thorns and scourging brook, Yet ere thy craven spirit faints, Hear thine own King, the King of saints; He is th' eternal mirror bright, Where angels view the FATHER's light, Early to quit his home on earth, Alone with his true Father found Within the temple's solemn round :— Yet in meek duty to abide For many a year at Mary's side, Nor heed, though restless spirits ask, "What? hath the Christ forgot his task ?" Conscious of Deity within, To bow before an heir of sin, With folded arms on humble breast, Then full of Heaven, the mystic Dove With hymns of angels in his ears, All but himself to heal and save, He to His Father gently yield The breath that our redemption seal'd :— Then to unearthly life arise, Yet not at once to seek the skies, Lest on our lonely way we faint; And through the cloud by glimpses shew How bright, in Heaven, the marks will glow Of the true cross, imprinted deep When out of sight, in heart and prayer This is thy pastoral course, O Lord, And yet of Thee from year to year Listen, ye pure white-robed souls, |