ST. ANDREW'S DAY. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias; and he brought him unto Jesus. St. John i. 42. WHEN brothers part for manhood's race, What gift may most endearing prove To keep fond memory in her place, 'Tis true, bright hours together told, Serene or solemn, gay or bold, Shall last in fancy unimpair'd. Even round the death-bed of the good And haunt us with no vexing mood When all the cares of earth are over. But yet our craving spirits feel, We shall live on, though Fancy die, And seek a surer pledge—a seal Of love to last eternally. Who art thou, that would'st grave thy name Thus deeply in a brother's heart? Look on this saint, and learn to frame Thy love-charm with true Christian art. First seek thy Saviour out, and dwell Till thou have scann'd his features well, Such proof as they are sure to find, Who spend with him their happy days, Clean hands, and a self-ruling mind Ever in tune for love and praise. Then, potent with the spell of heaven, Entice him home to be forgiven, Till he, too, see his Saviour plain. Or, if before thee in the race, Urge him with thine advancing tread, Till, like twin stars, with even pace Each lucid course be duly sped. No fading frail memorial give To soothe his soul when thou art gone, But wreaths of hope for aye to live, And thoughts of good together done. That so, before the judgment-seat, Though chang'd and glorified each face, Not unremember'd ye may meet For endless ages to embrace. ST. THOMAS' DAY. Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. St. John xx. 29. WE were not by when Jesus came“, But round us, far and near, In choral echoes hear. In a fair ground our lot is cast, As in the solemn week that past, While some might doubt, but all ador'd', Ere the whole widow'd Church had seen her risen Lord. Slowly, as then, His bounteous hand The golden chain unwinds, a St. John xx. 24. Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. b St. Matt. xxviii. 17. When they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. T Drawing to Heaven with gentlest band Love sought him first-at dawn of morn© And saw thine open grave, and knew that Thou wert To search the SAVIOUR'S tomb; As fearing to presume Till Reason enter in, and trace Christ's relics round the holy place "Here lay His limbs, and here His sacred head, "And who was by, to make his new-forsaken bed?” Both wonder, one believes-but while They muse on all at home, No thought can tender Love beguile St. Mary Magdalen's visit to the sepulchre. d St. Peter and St. John. |