A FALLEN SISTER. "The maid is not dead, but sleepeth." SHE is not dead-she only sleeps: Life in her soul its vigil keeps: Though dark the cloud, though strong the chain, Speak, Lord, and she shall live again! She is not dead :- -it cannot be That one, whose soul so glowed to Thee, I know, I know how once she felt Have seen her spirit mount and melt; She that has fed on heavenly food, She, that has bent at Heaven's high throne, An earthworm here again to crawl ?— I know how many for her feel, And plead with Thee to come and heal : Sunk as she is in thoughtless sin, Thou hast a still, small voice within A silent hold-a hidden plea— That needs but quickening, Lord, from Thee. A look of Thine can life impart ; A tone of Thine can touch the heart: The very grave Thy voice must hear : Oh, bid it reach our sister's ear! Press on her soul each pang and scorn, Which Thou for her of old hast borne ; And ask how she will dare to meet Thy face upon a Judgment-seat. Talk to her heart, and bid her feel; Send forth Thy word to wound and heal; Melt off her spirit's icy chain, And bid her rise and live again. She is not dead: Thy voice Divine THE SAILOR'S MEDITATION, ON WATCH AT NIGHT. ABOVE me hangs the silent sky; Around me rolls the sea; The crew is all at rest; and I Am, Lord, alone with Thee! Go where I may, from all remote, No secret thought, but Thou canst note; When all around are sunk to sleep, To me Thou walkest o'er the deep, I look up to the starry sky; I look down to myself, and sigh, I think of days and dangers past, When I have found Thee nigh; And wonder how Thy love can last To such a worm as I. I think of terrors yet at hand, And ask my soul how it shall stand To hear its final doom! Ah, then, how all I've been and done Would fill me with despair, If to the Cross I could not run, And find a Saviour there! |