Change is our portion here!
Yet midst our changing lot,

Midst withering flowers and tempests drear,
There is that changes not;
Unchangeable Jehovah's word,

"I will be with thee," saith the Lord.

Changeless the way of peace;

Changeless Emmanuel's name; Changeless the covenant of grace, Eternally the same;

"I change not," is our Father's word; "Thou art my portion," Holy Lord!

HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY."

OPE of the coming glory

Is balm to the distress'd,
Is medicine in sickness,
Is love, and life, and rest.
To that bright blessed country,
Our eyes with longing turn ;
At mention of its blessings
Our hearts within us burn.

O one abiding city!

A kingdom full of joy!

Where tears are ever banish'd,
And sorrow can't alloy.

Thou hast no need of moon-beam,

Nor e'en of sunshine bright:

God is Himself thy glory,

The Lamb Himself thy light.

Beside thy living waters,

That pure and crystal river, The tree of life doth flourish, Which yields her fruit for ever. There all our yearnings centre, There we shall surely come; There see God's face for ever,

And serve Him in our home.

THOU ART MY PORTION, O LORD!"

HAVE a heritage of joy,

That yet I must not see,

The hand that bled to make it mine

Is keeping it for me.

I have a certainty of love
That sets my heart at rest,
A calm assurance for to-day,
That to be thus is best.

A prayer reposing on His truth,
Who hath made all things mine,
That draws my captive will to Him,
And makes it one with Thine.

My heart is resting, O my God,
My heart is in Thy care;
I hear the voice of joy and health
Resounding everywhere.

"Thou art my portion," saith my soul

"Amen" sweet voices say;

The music of that glad Amen
Will never die away.

66

THAT WHERE I AM, YE MAY BE ALSO."

JOVE craves the presence and the sight

Of all its well-beloved;

And therefore weep we in the homes

Whence they are far removed;

Love craves the presence and the sight

Of each beloved one;

And therefore Jesus spake the word
Which call'd them to the throne.

Thus heaven is gathering, one by one,
In its capacious breast,
All that is pure and permanent,
And beautiful and blest;

The family is scatter'd yet,

Though of one home and heart;

Part militant in earthly gloom,

In heavenly glory part.

But who can speak the rapture, when
The number is complete;
And all the children sunder'd now,

Around one Father meet.

One fold, one Shepherd, one employ,

One everlasting home:

"Lo! I come quickly: "Even so ;

Amen! Lord Jesus, come.

"YET A LITTLE WHILE."

NE sweet but solemn thought

Comes o'er me more and more;

I'm nearer to my home to-day Then e'er I was before.

Nearer my Father's house

Where many mansions be;

Nearer the rainbow-compass'd throne,

Nearer the jasper sea.

Nearer the bound of life,

Where burdens are laid down:

Nearer the last step with the cross,
Nearer the fadeless crown.

Nearer the last shed tear,
Nearer life's parting groan;

Nearer the presence of my God,
And pleasures all unknown.