He went away sorrowful; but after awhile He again. appeared, the children being all grown to men and women; and in the same persuasive tone repeated the invitation, "Follow Me."-The reply of all was, “Not yet "--but the reasons were various :—one alleged that he had "bought five yoke of oxen, and must needs go to prove them." They all went away, "some to their farms, and others to their merchandise "—and the Saviour again disappeared, deeply grieved. Once more He renewed the call, "Follow Me"-but the answer on this occasion was decided, "I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come."

Lastly, the long-suffering Redeemer appeared to the rich man rejoicing in his prosperity, and finally renewed the earnest invitation, "Follow Me "--but the gracious words were unheeded, as the self-satisfied voluptuary said to himself, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years, eat, drink, and be merry." In pitying sorrow the Lord again departed. At length old age advanced-sickness laid the strong man on the bed of languishing-death was at hand—I thought a voice said imploringly, "Lord, I will follow thee now." There were, alas! no more heard the gentle accents of gracious invitation-but the stern sentence of the unrelenting Judge, "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all My counsel, and would none of My reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh."

In an agony of terror and distress I awoke, and behold it was a dream; but in the dream was unfolded an awful truth, which it behoves us all to remember— "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever ye sow, that also shall ye reap."

T. P.

IS CHRIST DIVIDED ?

"Is Christ divided?"-1 COR. i. 13.

"We, being many, are one body in Christ."-ROM. xii. 5.

of men,

THERE is an eye that marks the ways
With strict, impartial, analyzing ken:
Our motley creeds, our crude opinions lie
All, all unveiled to that omniscient Eye.
He sees the softest shades by error thrown ;
Marks where His truth is left to shine alone;
Decides with most exact, unerring skill,

Wherein we differ from His word and will.
No specious names nor reasonings, to His view,
The false can varnish, nor deform the true;
Nor vain excuses e'er avail, to plead

The right of theory for the wrong of deed.
Before that unembarrassed, just survey,
What heaps of refuse must be swept away!
How must its search from every creed remove
All but the golden grains of truth and love!
Yet, with compassion for our feeble powers,
For oh! His thoughts and ways are not as ours.
-There is a day in flaming terror bright,
When truth and error shall be brought to light.
But who shall rise, amid the shining throng,
To boast that he was right and you were wrong?
When each rejoicing saint shall veil his face,
And none may triumph, but in glorious grace;
No meaner praise shall heavenly tongues employ :
Yet they shall reap the more abundant joy,
Who sought His truth with simple, humble aim,
To do His will, and glorify His name.

J. T.

ts.

COME TO ME.

"Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."-MATT. xi. 28.

WITH tearful eyes I look around,

Life seems a dark and stormy sea;
Yet, midst the gloom, I hear a sound,
A heavenly whisper, "Come to Me."

It tells me of a place of rest—

It tells me where my soul may flee ;
Oh! to the weary, faint, oppressed,

How sweet the bidding, "Come to Me."

When the poor heart with anguish learns
That earthly props resigned must be,
And from each broken cistern turns,

It hears the accents, "Come to Me."

When against sin I strive in vain,

And cannot from its yoke get free,
Sinking beneath the heavy chain,

The words arrest me, "Come to Me."

When nature shudders, loath to part

From all I love, enjoy, and see,
When a faint chill steals o'er my heart,
A sweet voice utters, "Come to Me.'

Come, for all else must fail and die,

Earth is no resting-place for thee;
Heavenward direct thy weeping eye,
I am thy Portion, "Come to Me."

O voice of mercy! voice of love!
In conflict, grief, and agony,
Support me, cheer me from above!

And gently whisper, "Come to Me."

"

SOW BESIDE ALL WATERS.

"He that observeth the wind, shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds, shall not reap."-ECCLESIASTES xi. 4.

"Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters."-ISAIAH Xxxii. 20.

Sow ye beside all waters,

Where the dew of heaven may

Ye shall reap if ye be not weary,
For the Spirit breathes o'er all.

fall;

Sow, though the thorn may wound thee,
One wore the thorns for thee;
And though the cold world scorn thee,
Patient and hopeful be.

Sow ye beside all waters,

With a blessing and a prayer,
Name Him whose hands uphold thee,

And sow ye everywhere.

Sow where the sunlight sheddeth
Its warm and cheering ray,

For the rain of heaven descendeth
When the sunbeams pass away.

Sow when the tempest lowers,
For calmer days may break;
And the seed, in darkness nourished,
A goodly plant may make.
Sow when the morning breaketh
In beauty o'er the land;
And when the evening falleth,
Withhold not thou thine hand.

Sow, though the rock repel thee,
In its cold and sterile pride;
Some cleft there may be riven,

Where the little seed may hide.

Fear not, for some will flourish,
And though the tares abound,
Like the willows by the waters,
Will the scattered grain be found.
Work while the daylight lasteth,

Ere the shades of night come on ;
Ere the Lord of the vineyard cometh,
And the labourer's work is done.
Watch not the clouds above thee,

Let the wild winds round thee sweep;
God may the seed-time give thee,
But another's hand may reap.

Have faith, though ne'er beholding
The seed burst from its tomb;
Thou know'st not which may perish,
Or what be spared to bloom.
Room, on the narrowest ridges,
The ripened grain will find;
That the Lord of the harvest coming,
In the harvest-sheaves may bind.

THE CROSS.

"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; and My burden is light."-MATT. xi. 29, 30.

My heart was full of happiness,
Each scene around me bright,
I leaned on the "Beloved One,"
His candle gave me light;

My yoke is easy,

I thought such joy would still be mine,
Such bliss would never cease,
And gladly published all around
That wisdom's paths are peace.