How many a careless one,

That lies in death of sin,

Might one alive who works with God
For Christ and glory win!

Two paces: that is all!

My soul, be wise at length;

Fling vain regrets and hopes away,-
The present needs thy strength.

Two paces: nothing more!

True life must live in haste :
There's barely time to do its work,
But now there's none to waste.

J. D.

Righteousness has the Promise.

"Righteousness has the promise of this life, as well as that which is to come."

H, righteous doom, that they who make

Pleasure their only end,

Ordering the whole life for its sake,

Miss that whereto they tend;

While they who bid stern duty lead,

Content to follow,—they

Of duty only taking heed,

Find pleasure by the way.

R. C. TRENCH.

Let both grow together.

"Let both grow together until harvest."

ENTLY think, and gently speak! Art thou strong? respect the weak; Art thou weak? from what thou art Gently judge another's part.

Gentle thoughts and gentle words
Ever were thy Saviour Lord's:
Shall the fellow-worm reprove
When the holy God is Love?

He who knew the thoughts of men,
He was gentle : let us then
Gentle be in thought and tone,—

We, who scarce can read our own.

No earthly ray the depths reveal
Whence living waters flow;
Day's garish light the stars conceal
That there in brightness glow.

Yet listening ears might catch the sound
Of music underneath,

And mark above it and around

How freshest breezes breathe.

Thus, follower of a thorn-crowned Chief,
Within thy heart should be

A fount of joy,-undimmed by grief,
Unlit by worldly glee.

Too deep for smiles or tears to show,
Yet o'er life's common ways
Flinging its gladdening, healing glow,
To wake the voice of praise.

Thy lot be, of the weaned from earth
In angel-bliss to share ;

Yet grudge not to light-hearted mirth
Her merriest smiles to wear.

Think how the blessed One, while sore

Our burdens on Him lay,

The gladdening of His smile might pour On sportive children's play.

See Him with little ones around,

Or at the bridal board,—

As though our all of gladness found
A response from our Lord;

And look thou thus in tenderest love
On ought of joy below,

While counting it thy bliss to prove
Christ's fellowship in woe.

The myrrh and spice together go,-
The bitter and the sweet:

The broken heart's deep bliss to know,

For strangers were not meet.

THOU

And low the loving heart,

Who fain would'st bear in Jesus' grief, And in His work, a part.

Still do the hopes of youth arise ?

Still are its visions gay?

Can'st thou endure that one by one

They all should pass away?

The warfare waged within thy breast

Is strong, and stern, and high; And oft the victory is won

In tears of agony.

On, on: for ever on! Thy feet
Must tread a darkling road;
And many a time thy spirit bow
Alone, beneath its load.

Yes: pour thy prayer, full, deep, and free!
Ask what thy Master sought;
And not thine, but thy Father's will,
Within thee shall be wrought.

Would'st thou go forth to dry the tear,
To soothe the wounded heart?

Thine eyes must weep, thy heart must bear
Affliction's keenest smart.

For pure as snow the word may be,
And it will fall as cold,

If, from the fulness of thy heart,
Its truth thou hast not told.

And dream not thou can'st kindle faith,
If thine it has not been

To feel its power uplift thee, high

Above earth's passing scene.