Ehrist Expounding the Law.

"And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."LUKE ii. 47.

THE Voice of God was mighty, when it brake
Through the deep stillness of chaotic night,
Uttering the potent words, "Let there be light!"
And light was kindled as th' Eternal spake;
While Hosts Seraphic hymned the wondrous plan
Which formed Heaven, Earth, Sun, Sea, and crowned the
work with MAN.

The Voice of God was mighty, when it came
From Sinai's summit wrapped in midnight gloom;
When ceaseless thunders told the sinner's doom,

And answering lightnings flashed devouring flame;
Till prostrate Israel breathed th' imploring cry,
"Veil, Lord, thy terrors; cease thy thunders, or we die!"

The Voice of God was mighty, when alone

Elijah stood on Horeb, and the blast

Rent the huge mountains as JEHOVAH passed,

And the Earth quaked beneath the Holy One;

When ceased the storm, the blast, the lightning glare

And but the "still small voice" was heard-yet GOD was

there,

50

CHRIST EXPOUNDING

THE LAW.

Yet not alone in thunder or in storm

The Voice of God was mighty, as it came
From the red mountain, or the car of flame:-
When stooped the Godhead to a mortal form;
When Jesus came to work his Father's will,
His was the voice of God-and it was mighty still.

He chid the billows-and the heaving sca

Lay hushed-the warring winds obeyed his word,—
The conscious demons knew and owned their Lord,

And at his bidding set the captive free.

But is not Hatred strong as wave or wind,

And are the Hosts of Hell more stubborn than mankind?

These, too, he vanquished. When the Holy Law
From his pure lips like mountain honey flowed:
Still, as he spake, the haughty heart was bowed,
Passion was calmed, and Malice crouched in awe-
The Scribe, perversely blind, began to see,

And mute conviction held the humbled Pharisee.

"Man never spake like this man," was their cry,-
And yet he spake, and yet they heard in vain :
E'en as their Sires to idols turned again
When Sinai's thunders shook no more the sky-
So these went back to bend at Mammon's shrine,
And heard that Voice no more, yet felt it was Divine!

Thomas Dale.

A Voice from the Desert.

A VOICE from the desert comes awful and shrill:
"The Lord is advancing-prepare ye the way!"
The word of Jehovah he comes to fulfill,

And o'er the dark world pours the splendor of day.

Bring down the proud mountain, though towering to heaven;

And be the low valley exalted on high;

The rough path and crooked be made smooth and even;
For, Sion! your King, your Redeemer is nigh!

The beams of salvation his progress illume,

The lone dreary wilderness sings of her God;
The rose and the myrtle shall suddenly bloom,
And the olive of peace spread its branches abroad.

William Drummond.