FIGURE OF MERCY WITH THE BIBLE. HIS Book, this holy Book, on every line On every leaf bedewed with drops of love 0 THE BIBLE. CITHIN this awful volume lies To whom their God has given grace POLLOK. SCOTT. THE BIBLE. HAT is the world!-A wildering maze, Where Sin has tracked ten thousand ways, All broad, and winding, and aslope; All tempting with perfidious hope,— Millions of pilgrims throng those roads, One only path, that never bends, Is there a Guide to show that path? Yet he who hath, and will not give HOST wondrous Book! bright candle of the Lord! Star of eternity! the only star, By which the bark of man could navigate The sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss Of heaven's own light, and to the hills of God, And by the Holy Ghost anointed, set To earth the counsels of the Eternal One, This Book, this Holiest, this sublimest Book, Was sent. Heaven's will, Heaven's code of laws entire To man, this Book contained; defined the bounds Of vice and virtue, and of life and death; And what was shadow, what was substance, taught. Much it revealed important all; the least Worth more than what else seemed of highest worth; But this of plainest, most essential truth— That God is one, eternal, holy, just, Most wise, most good, most merciful and true; Most utterly depraved throughout, and ill In sight of Heaven, though less in sight of man ; And by his very life an heir of death: man, that every man, was, further, most Unable to redeem himself, or pay One mite of his vast debt to God,—nay, more, POLLOK. THE NATIVITY. "Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."-MATT. li. 2. STAR appeared, and peaceful threw Around its holy ray; It caught the faithful Magi's view, It led the wondrous way, From far-famed Persia's smiling bowers, Fair land of beauty, fruits, and flowers. Each heart throughout the gazing throng While slowly moved that star along And softly fixed its mellow light There—unknown to rich and great, Rise and fall 'mid scenes of splendour,— The Prince of Peace, so young, so fair, Let the sound of the sweet harp of Judah arise! CAMPBELL. THE NATIVITY. RIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning! Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid! Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining, Angels adore Him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all! Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion. Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning! Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid! HEPER. THE NATIVITY. LUKE ii. 8-14. ORNE on the sober wings of night, A song is heard on high; It cannot be a song of earth, 'Tis music of the sky A band of bright and holy ones are bringing What blessed things are in that strain! With comfort from above; Ye come to tell us of a great salvation Ye tell us of a Saviour born: It is no common birth; The like hath never yet been seen Upon this fallen earth, Wonder of wonders! God hath passed the portal |