Look in, and see Christ's chosen saint

In triumph wear his Christ-like chain;
No fear lest he should swerve or faint;
"His life is Christ, his death is gain b."

Two converts, watching by his side,

Alike his love and greetings share;
Luke the belov'd, the sick soul's guide,
And Demas, nam'd in faltering prayer.

Pass a few years--look in once more-
The saint is in his bonds again;
Save that his hopes more boldly soar c,
He and his lot unchang'd remain.

But only Luke is with him now :-
Alas! that even the martyr's cell,
Heaven's very gate, should scope allow
For the false world's seducing spell.

b Philip. i. 21.

• In the Epistle to the Philippians, "I know that I shall continue with you all I count not myself to have apprehended." i. 25. iii. 13.

In 2 Tim. "I have finished my course," etc. iv. 7, 8.

"Tis sad-but yet 'tis well, be sure,

We on the sight should muse awhile,
Nor deem our shelter all secure

Even in the Church's holiest aisle.

Vainly before the shrine he bends,
Who knows not the true pilgrim's part:
The martyr's cell no safety lends

To him, who wants the martyr's heart.

But if there be, who follows Paul

As Paul his Lord, in life and death,
Where'er an aching heart may call,

Ready to speed and take no breath;

Whose joy is, to the wandering sheep

To tell of the great Shepherd's love d;
To learn of mourners while they weep
The music that makes mirth above;

Who makes the Saviour all his theme,

The Gospel all his pride and praise—

d The Gospel of St. Luke abounds most in such passages as the parable of the lost sheep, which display God's mercy to penitent sinners.

Approach for thou canst feel the gleam

That round the martyr's death-bed plays:

Thou hast an ear for angels' songs,

A breath the Gospel trump to fill,
And taught by thee the Church prolongs
Her hymns of high thanksgiving still e.

Ah! dearest mother, since too oft

The world yet wins some Demas frail
Even from thine arms, so kind and soft,
May thy tried comforts never fail?

When faithless ones forsake thy wing,
Be it vouchsaf'd thee still to see
Thy true, fond nurslings closer cling,

Cling closer to their Lord and thee.

e The Christian hymns are all in St. Luke: the Magnificat, Benedictus, and Nunc Dimittis.

XCIII.

ST. SIMON AND ST. JUDE.

That ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. St. Jude 3.

SEEST thou, how tearful and alone,
And drooping like a wounded dove,
The cross in sight, but Jesus gone,

The widow'd Church is fain to rove?

Who is at hand that loves the Lord"?

Make haste and take her home, and bring

Thine household choir, in true accord

Their soothing hymns for her to sing.

Soft on her fluttering heart shall breathe
The fragrance of that genial isle,
There she may weave her funeral wreath,

And to her own sad music smile.

f St. John xix. 26. Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother and from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

The Spirit of the dying Son

Is there, and fills the holy place

With records sweet of duties done,

Of pardon'd foes, and cherish'd grace.

And as of old by two and two g

His herald saints the Saviour sent To soften hearts like morning dew, Where He to shine in mercy meant ;

So evermore He deems his name

Best honour'd and His way prepar'd, When watching by his altar-flame He sees his servants duly pair'd.

He loves when age and youth are met,
Fervent old age and youth serene,

Their high and low in concord set
For sacred song, Joy's golden mean.

He loves when some clear soaring mind Is drawn by mutual piety

To simple souls and unrefin'd,

Who in life's shadiest covert lie.

g St. Mark vi. 7. St Luke x. 1,