I JOURNEY THROUGH A DESERT DREAR AND WILD. 733 The gentlest one of all words said! Wash me with Thy tears! draw nigh me, ST. JOANNES DAMASCENUS. (Greek.) Translation of E. B. BROWNING. MY GOD, I LOVE THEE. My God, I love Thee! not because Nor because those who love Thee not Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me Upon the cross embrace! For me didst bear the nails and spear, And manifold disgrace. And griefs and torments numberless. And sweat of agony, Yea, death itself-and all for one That was Thine enemy. Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, Should I not love Thee well? Not for the hope of winning heaven, Nor of escaping hell! Not with the hope of gaining aught, Not seeking a reward; But as Thyself hast loved me, O everlasting Lord! E'en so I love Thee, and will love, ST. FRANCIS XAVIER. (Latin.) Translation of EDWARD CASWELL. "I JOURNEY THROUGH A DESERT DREAR AND WILD." I JOURNEY through a desert drear and wild, Yet is my heart by such sweet thoughts be guiled Of Him on whom I lean, my strength, my stay, I can forget the sorrows of the way. Thoughts of His love-the root of every grace. Which finds in this poor heart a dwellingplace; The sunshine of my soul, than day more bright, And my calm pillow of repose by night. Thoughts of His sojourn in this vale of tears— Thoughts of His glory--on the cross I gaze, And there behold its sad, yet healing rays; Beacon of hope, which lifted up on high, Illumes with heavenly light the tear-dinimed eye. Thoughts of His coming-for that joyful day In patient hope I watch, and wait, and pray; The dawn draws nigh, the midnight shadows flee, Oh! what a sunrise will that advent be! Thus while I journey on, my Lord to meet, My thoughts and meditations are so sweet, Of Him on whom I lean, my strength, my stay, I can forget the sorrows of the way. ANONYMOUve. WRESTLING JACOB. FIRST PART. COME, O Thou traveller unknown, And I am left alone with Thee; I need not tell Thee who I am; My sin and misery declare;. Thyself hast called me by my name; Look on Thy hands, and read it there; In vain Thou strugglest to get free; The secret of Thy love unfold; Wilt Thou not yet to me reveal Thy new, unutterable name? What though my shrinking flesh complain And murmur to contend so long; I rise superior to my pain; When I am weak, then am I strong! And when my all of strength shall fail, I shall with the God-man prevail. To me, to all, Thy bowels move, Thy nature and Thy name is Love. My prayer hath power with God; the grace Unspeakable I now receive; Through faith I see Thee face to face; I see Thee face to face and live! In vain I have not wept and strove; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. I know Thee, Saviour, who Thou art, Jesus, the feeble sinner's friend; Nor wilt thou with the night depart, But stay and love me to the end; Thy mercies never shall remove; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. The sun of righteousness on me Contented now upon my thigh I halt, till life's short journey end; All helplessness, all weakness, I On Thee alone for strength depend; Nor have I power from Thee to move; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. Lame as I am, I take the prey; Hell, earth, and sin, with ease o'ercome: I leap for joy, pursue my way, CHARLES WESLEY. SECOND PART. YIELD to me now, for I am weak, Be conquered by my instant prayer; 'Tis love! 'tis love! Thou diedst for me; THE CALL. COME, my way, my truth, my life,— Come my light, my feast, my strength.- Come my joy, my love, my heart! Such a joy as none can move: THE ODOR. GEORGE HERBERT. THE STRANGER AND HIS FRIEND. A POOR wayfaring man of grief Hath often crossed me on my way, Who sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer "Nay." I had not power to ask His name, Whither He went, or whence He came; Yet there was something in His eye That won my love,-I knew not why. Once, when my scanty meal was spread, He entered. Not a word He spake. Just perishing for want of bread, I gave Him all; He blessed it, brake, And ate; but gave me part again. Mine was an angel's portion then ; For while I fed with eager haste, That crust was inanna to my taste. I spied Him where a fountain burst Clear from the rock; His strength was gone; The heedless water mocked His thirst; He heard it, saw it hurrying on. I ran to raise the sufferer up; Thrice from the stream He drained my cup, Dipped, and returned it running o'er ;I drank, and never thirsted more. 'T was night; the floods were out,-it blew A winter hurricane aloof; I heard His voice abroad, and flew To bid Him welcome to my roof; I warmed, I clothed, I cheered my guest- Stripped, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found Him by the highway side; I roused His pulse, brought back His breath, Revived His spirit and supplied Wine, oil, refreshment; He was healed. 756 In prison I saw Him next, condemned The stranger darted from disguise; My Saviour stood before mine eyes. He spake; and my poor name he named"Of me thou hast not been ashamed; These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not! thou didst them unto me." JAMES MONTGOMERY, THE ODOR. How sweetly doth My Master sound!-My As ambergris leaves a rich scent So do these words a sweet content With these all day I do perfume my mind, My mind even thrust into them bothThat I might find What cordials make this curious broth, This broth of smells, that feeds and fats my mind. My Master shall I speak? Oh that to Thee My servant were a little so As flesh may be; That these two words might creep and grow To some degree of spiciness to Thee! Then should the pomander, which was before A speaking sweet, mend by reflection, And tell me more; For pardon of my imperfection Would warm and work it sweeter than before. Some toil and so w That wealth may flow, THE FLOWER. And dress this earth for next year's meat; But let me heed Why Thou didst bleed, And what in the next world to eat. HENRY VAUGHAN. COMPLAINING. Do not beguile my heart, Because Thou art Of hot Arabia do enrich the air 757 With more delicious sweetness than the fair Reports that crown the merits of Thy name With heavenly laurels of eternal fame, Which makes the virgins fix their eyes upor Thee, And all that view Thee are enamored on Thee. WHO ever smelt the breath of morning flow ers New sweetened with the dash of twilight showers, My power and wisdom! Put me not to shame, Of pounded amber, or the flowing thyme, Because I am Or purple violets in their proudest prime, So fair, so sweet, that heaven's bright eye is |