Early hasten to the tomb,

Where they laid His breathless clay. All is solitude and gloom!

Who hath taken Him away?

Christ is risen !-He meets our eyes.
Saviour, teach us so to rise.

XLIII.

My soul amid this stormy world
Is like some fluttered dove,
And fain would be as swift of wing,

To flee to Him I love.

The cords that bound my heart to earth

Are broken by his hand:

Before His cross I found myself,

A stranger in the land.

That visage marr'd, those sorrows deep,

The vinegar and gall,

Were Jesus' golden chains of love,

His captive to enthrall!

My heart is with Him on His throne, And ill can brook delay;

Each moment list'ning for the voice,— "Rise up, and come away."

With hope deferr'd, oft sick and faint, "Why tarries He?" I cry;

And should my Saviour chide my haste,
Sure I could make reply,-

"May not an exile, Lord, desire
His own sweet land to see?
May not a captive seek release,-
A pris'ner to be free?"

A child, when far away, may long
For home and kindred dear;
And she that waits her absent lord
May sigh till he appear.

I would, my Lord and Saviour, know,
That which no measure knows;
Would search the mystery of Thy love,
The depth of all Thy woes.

XLIV.

'Tis finished, every circumstance fulfilled; The conflict o'er, the sacrifice complete.

So He laid down His life, and went to meet Death in his own domain :-not till He willed, Yielding His breath; self-offered, but not killed.

That voice of power, it spoke of hell's defeat; It rent the veil before the mercy-seat; Through the dark regions of the dead it thrilled: Earth trembled, and the solid rocks were rent; The grave its victor, its invader, knew. No need of costly balms, with fond intent, That which saw no corruption to imbue.Go, seal the stone, and all approach prevent.He burst the bands of death, and heaven's gate open threw.

IV.

CHRIST THE STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE

OF HIS PEOPLE.