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ODE

FOR THE 43D ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

WHEN the birth of creation proclaimed to the skies,
That the reign of confusion and chaos was o'er,
Each harp caught the theme, and glad notes of surprise,
Commingling, resounded on time's viewless shore.

The Eternal beheld from his dark burning throne,
He decreed, and the thunder confirmed the behest;
He spake, and the smile of Omnipotence shone,
""Tis good; all my labours are perfect and blessed."

When the bright beams advancing to Liberty's morn,
Through the portals of victory proclaimed the decree;
"The work is completed, a nation is born,
The tyrant is vanquished-Columbia is free—”

Again the bright cherubim wakened the song,
The minstrels of heaven with joy swelled the lay;
The glad shout of triumph was heard loud and long,
And the plaudit of glory bade welcome the DAY!

With hearts warmed with love and devotion inspired, We hallow the era of FREEDOM and TIME;*

With the pure flame of union each bosom is fired, While "good-feeling" extends to the FREE of each clime.

To the Chieftain, whose green laurelled fame blossoms fair,

Now sainted above, but remembered below;

To those who on freedom's blest altar did swear,
Who gave their rich life-blood in battle to flow:

This Day, with emotion, the pledge is renewed,
We recount each bright deed on the field and the wave;
We view the stern heroes by carnage imbrued,
We give our applause-'tis a tear to the brave.

O long may the banner of Union unfurled,
Triumphantly wave on the ocean and shore;

May'st thou flourish, my country, the pride of the world,
The home of the exile, till time is no more.

* The Anniversary occurred on Sunday.

JEHOVAH'S LOVE.

THE eagle on its mountain height,

Beneath the eastern sky,

Securely views the source of light
With bold and fearless eye.

If lost in glory's azure blaze,
It bends a downward view;
This floating disk a speck displays,
Minute and cheerless too.

Thus on the mount of faith and

JEHOVAH'S love is seen;

prayer,

Sure vision strengthened, gazes there,

Without a veil between.

Then dim is every joy, compared

With bliss that never cloys;

And light the sorrows each hath shared,

When matched with heavenly joys.

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WILT THOU, O LORD.

WILT thou, O Lord, who wast enthroned on high,
Ere seraphs bowed, or unknown worlds were formed,—
Wilt thou regard the humble mourner's sigh;
Will the Eternal, moved with pitying love,
Bind up the broken, and with tender hand
Wipe every tear from sorrow's weeping eye?

For thou dost walk upon the whirlwind's brow;
Clothed with the thunder, Deity comes down;
Dark clouds pavilion the Almighty's form,
While with the awful grandeur of a God,
On flying pinions of the wind he rides,
In dreadful state, and majesty sublime.

Be still, my soul; be calm, ye rising fears;-
The storm is hushed, the tempest passes by;
Through the dark clouds a radiant form appears,
'Tis Jesus bends to hear the humble pray,—
To contrite spirits he is ever nigh,

And he shall wipe all sorrowing tears away.

WHEN THE ROSE.

WHEN the rose in Sharon blooming,* Sheds sweet fragrance on the air, Each loved tint new grace assuming, Doth its varied charms declare.

When the lily 'neath the mountain,
Weeps in Hermon's glittering dew,
Pure as Kedron's crystal fountain,
Shines its robe of spangled hue.

Fair are Sharon's blooming roses,
Rich the lily of the vale;

'Mid each blush, delight reposes, Nectared sweets embalm the gale,—

*Solomon's Songs, ii. 1.

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