AYS of my youth! Ye have glided away; Ye are frosted and gray; Eyes of my youth! Your keen sight is no more; Ye are furrow'd all o'er; All thy vigor is gone; Thoughts of my youth! Your gay visions are flown. Days of my youth! I wish not your recall; Hairs of my youth! I'm content ye shall fall; Eyes of my youth! you much evil have seen; Cheeks of my youth! bathed in tears you have been; Days of my age! ye will shortly be past; Eyes of my age! be religion your light; Seasons of Prayer. To prayer, to prayer!-for the morning breaks, To prayer!-for the glorious sun is gone, Then kneel, while the watching stars are bright, To prayer!-for the day that God has bless'd It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb. There are smiles and tears in the mother's eyes, For her new-born infant beside her lies. O hour of bliss! when the heart o'erflows With rapture a mother only knows. Let it gush forth in words of fervent prayer; Let it swell up to heaven for her precious care. There are smiles and tears in that gathering band, Kneel down by the dying sinner's side, Kneel down at the couch of departing faith, There is peace in his calm confiding air; For his last thoughts are God's, his last words prayer. The voice of prayer at the sable bier! A voice to sustain, to soothe, and to cheer. It commends the spirit to God who gave; It lifts the thoughts from the cold, dark grave; It points to the glory where He shall reign, Who whisper'd, "Thy brother shall rise again." The voice of prayer in the world of bliss! SEASONS OF PRAYER. Awake, awake, and gird up thy strength To Him who unceasing love displays, Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise, For a life of prayer is the life of heaven. The Widow of Nain and her Son. WARE. WAKE not, O mother! sounds of lamentation! Bear forth the cold corpse, slowly, slowly bear him: Why pause the mourners? Who forbids our weeping? Who the dark pomp of sorrow has delayed? "Set down the bier-he is not dead but sleeping! Young man, arise!”—He spake, and was obey'd! Change then, O sad one, grief to exultation: HEBER. |