Thy shield, He guards thee from the foe; Himself thy great reward. Fear not, though many should oppose, JANUARY 3. They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy.-PSALM cxxiv. 5. THERE is an hour of hallowed peace For those with cares oppressed, When sighs and sorrowing tears shall cease, And all be hushed to rest. 'Tis then the soul is freed from fears, And doubts which here annoy; Then they that oft have sown in tears, There is a home of sweet repose, The stream of endless pleasure flows On that celestial shore. There purity with love appears, And bliss without alloy; There they that oft have sown in tears Shall reap again in joy. JANUARY 4. An inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.-1 PETER i. 4. YE angels who stand round the throne And view my Immanuel's face, Tune, tune your soft harps to his praise. He formed you the spirits you are, Confirmed by his power, ye stood Oh when will the period appear, When I shall unite in your song? I'm weary of lingering here, And I to your Saviour belong. I'm fettered and chained up in clay; I long to be soaring away My God and my Saviour to see. I want to put on my attire, Washed white in the blood of the Lamb, I want to be one of your choir And tune my sweet harp to his name : Your joy and your friendship to share, MADAME DE FLEURY. JANUARY 5. 'Tis I Be not afraid.-MARK vi. 50. OUR Saviour, how often when trials are needed, To humble presumption, and pride to repress, Thou com'st to our hearts, yet unknown and unheeded, Nay, oft'ner reviled, though thou speakest to bless! The creature, though finite, though erring and blind, Still rebels 'gainst the dealings of infinite mind. Oh teach us, our Father, when loved ones are taken, And we would rebel at the heart-breaking blow; When earth seems a desert, and we all forsaken, And beauty and happiness mock at our woe: To trust all to Him, who in mercy hath said, "It is I-it is Jesus-oh! be not afraid!" G. P. Y. JANUARY 6. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.-2 CORINTHIANS V. 4. IF through unruffled seas Toward Heaven we calmly sail, With grateful hearts, oh God, to Thee But should the surges rise, And rest delay to come, Blest be the sorrow, kind the storm, Which drives us nearer home. JANUARY 7. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.-PSALM CXliii. 3. My God! whose gracious pity I may claim, Calling Thee Father-sweet endearing name, The sufferings of this weak and weary frame, All, all are known to Thee. |