An Advent Hymn.

"Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord."-Matt. xxi, 9.

HEN first our Lord came down on earth,
He did not scorn like us to be,
For He was born of mortal birth,
A simple child of low degree.

Where Syrian waves are bright and clear,
Where Judah's grapes grow large and red,
He walked below, and men drew near
And heard the holy words He said.

But when the Lord shall come again,
With angel-hosts encircled round,

All earth and heaven shall hail Him then,
With thunder peal and trumpet sound.

And some in joy and some in dread,
The sons of men His eye shall meet;
For all the living and the dead

Must stand before His judgment-seat.

His voice on earth we did not hear,
His steps below we could not trace,
But when His glory shall appear,

We too shall meet Him face to face.

For surely as the leaves and flowers
In summer time come back again,
So surely as in sultry hours

The dark clouds bring the pleasant rain,

Shall He who in His lowly love

Came down that we might be forgiven, Break, glorious, through the clouds above, And take His children home to heaven.

C. F. H.

When heart and flesh fail.

OWLY and solemn be

Thy children's cry to Thee,

Father divine!

A hymn of suppliant breath,
Owning that life and death
Alike are Thine.

O Father, in that hour,

When earth all succouring power

Shall disavow;

When spear, and shield, and crown,
In faintness are cast down;

Sustain us, Thou.

By Him who bowed to take
The death-cup for our sake,

The thorn, the rod;

From whom the last dismay
Was not to pass away;
Aid us, O God.

Tremblers beside the grave,

We call on Thee to save,

Father divine:

Hear, hear our suppliant breath,

Keep us in life and death,

Thine, only Thine.

Hemans.

For Christ's sake.

"I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named."-Eph. iii, 15.

HE quiet Sabbath sunshine played,
With soft and loving smile,

On those in lowly church who prayed,
And dim cathedral aisle.

There some in joy, in sorrow some,
Beneath that sunshine knelt;
Each with his own request had come,
Each heart its burden felt.

Yet named they all one sacred name,
And saw one presence fair;

"For Christ our Saviour's sake,"—the same

To each far different prayer.

L

While every joy, and grief, and need,
Swelled one united cry,

Blending in Him whose name we plead,
Our Advocate on high.

Until the soft "My God," which came
From every praying heart,

Rose but as one "Our Father,"
Which joins those far apart.

So ever, as we nearer rise

-name

Towards Him we all adore,
We bind more closely still the ties
Which heart to heart can draw.

That like the union none may know,

Of Father and of Son,

We all, who trust in Him below,

In Him may all be one.

L. R.

Light shining out of darkness.

"Clouds and darkness are around about Him, righteousness and judgment

are the habitation of His throne."-Ps. xcvii, 2.

OD moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform :

He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain :
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Cowper.