ure of an inward heaven.'
Hence virtue takes its deepest root,
And scatters fragrance in the shoot;
Blossoms when youth hath passed away,
Maturing for eternal day.
Reflect; the moment flies! 'tis gone!
The year its rapid course hath run!
What tidings have been winged to heaven,
Since first the precious boon was given?
Examine well; nor fear to know,
What truth may in its mirror show.
Is this, your twentieth birthday, blest
With more of wisdom in your breast?
Are your affections more divine?
Do you in Jesus' image shine?
More dead unto the world and sin,
Than when you did the year begin?
If fraught with truth our moments are,
And swift to heaven the tidings bear;
How should we weigh each act and word,
And wisely think, for thoughts are heard!
At this important period pause,
And unto God commit your cause;
With firm resolve and earnest prayer,
To meet Him in the clouds, prepare.
Him first, Him last, in all things own,
Whose wisdom guides in paths unknown;
Then, as the winged hours ascend,
Shall blessings fall upon my friend;
Till, full of years, matured you rise
To claim your birthright in the skies."

X.

WORKS OF MERCY.

"I DESIRED MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE."--Hosea vi. 6.

Mercy is the brightness of the glory of God;--the rainbow round about
the throne; wherein the pure light of Deity, too effulgent for the eye
of sinful man, is refracted, and presented under an aspect, which not
only reveals his manifold wisdom, and perfections, but blends them
in one bright manifestation of beauty, which even sinners may dare
to contemplate, with wonder, admiration and love. Jesus Christ is the
embodiment of the picture, being the brightness of the Father's glory,
full of grace and truth. While He enters the lowly abodes of humanity,
to contemplate its sorrows, and minister to its relief; the dazzling
effulgence of divine majesty is veiled under a covering of flesh.
Nevertheless, it is GOD who weeps with Martha, and Mary; who wipes
away the widow's tear, and speaks words of comfort to the outcast.
Incomprehensible Mystery! It is GOD incarnate, who suffers and dies
upon the cross to purchase life for His enemies. What a picture is
this! So far as it is capable of being reproduced, God loves to see it
revived in His children; and never does a man become more truly great,
or more faithfully represent his Master, than when, "putting on bowels