actions or designs ought to bend so very different a way, according as we are encouraged or forbidden to embrace the hope of eternal rewards, that it is impossible for us to proceed with judgment and discretion, otherwise than as we keep this point always in view, which ought to be our ruling object and final aim. BLAISE PASCAL. SONNET ON NIGHT AND DEATH. YSTERIOUS Night! when our first parent knew Did he not tremble for this lovely frame, Yet 'neath a curtain of translucent dew, Bathed in the rays of the great setting flame, And lo! creation widened in man's view. Who could have thought such darkness lay concealed J. BLANCO WHITE. XXX. The Chastening Thought of Death. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.—Psalms xxxvii. 37. MIND thee of the day, when thou too shalt start for the land to which one goeth to return not thence. Good for thee then will have been an honest life; therefore be just and hate transgressions. He who loveth justice will be blessed. The coward and the bold, neither can fly the grave. Then let thy bounty give abundantly, as is fit, love truth, and Isis shall bless the good and thou shalt attain a happy old age. The soul, on coming to the Hall of Truth, should be able to say: I have never perfidiously done evil to any man. I have not rendered my neighbor miserable. I have not overtasked the laborer, though I have obtained lordship, dignities, affluence and command. Through my deeds no one has been made fearful, or poor, or suffering or wretched. I have not done what the gods detest. I have not allowed the slave to be maltreated by his master, nor made him a-hungry nor caused him to weep. ANCIENT EGYPTIAN. XXXI. Crossing the Bar. And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying: Get thee up unto this mountain Abarim, unto Mount Nebo and die in the mount whither thou goest up and be gathered unto thy people.-Deuteronomy xxxii. 48, 50. SUNSET and evening Star, And one clear call for me, And may there be no moaning of the bar But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep, Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, After that the dark, And may there be no sadness of farewell, For tho' from our bourne of time and place I hope to see my pilot face to face. When I have crossed the bar. TENNYSON. This removes an Duties are ours; events are God's. infinite burden from the shoulders of a suffering, tempted, mortal creature. On this consideration only can he securely lay down his head and close his eyes. CECIL. XXXII. Hallowing the name of God in the Paraphrase of Kaddish. XALTED be His great and holy name, Whose righteous hand hath righteous judgment wrought. Through all the worlds created by His will Let righteousness spring forth. Oh, haste and tarry not! And say ye: Amen. Dominion, honor, glory, grace, and power, Blessing and bliss, and praise, exceeding praise, Realm beyond realm, and worlds all worlds beyond, To Him, Father of souls, Ancient of Days, Still with One voice of faith the scattered House shall raise, And say ye: Amen. To holy souls, departed by His will, By sorrow chastened and by mercy shriven, Be favor shown and gracious welcome given. fulness of peace, in highest heaven. And say ye: Amen. The hallowed One, dwelling in Israel's praise, Hath formed the worlds according to His will. All souls are His. All worlds shall know His ways. In life or death His ways are mercy still. Who maketh peace in heaven, His peace our hearts shall fill. And say ye: Amen. E. A. C. BROWN. |