Soon shall close thy earthly mission; Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days; Hope soon change to glad fruition, Faith to sight, and prayer to praise. MORNING THOUGHTS. AGAIN, O Lord, I ope my eyes, And share the gifts so largely lent To thankless man by Thee. And why has God o'er me this night The watch so kindly kept? And why have I so safely waked? And wherefore do I live and breathe? And wherefore have I still The mind to know, the sense to choose, The strength to do Thy will? Is it, to waste another day To give to these my heart and hand, Is it, for honour, wealth, or power Is it, to grasp at pleasure's flower Is it, to grow unto the world, No! thus too many days I've spent! Teach what I owe to man below, O, bring me to my Saviour's cross For mercy for the past; And make me live the coming day As if it were my last! EVENING. SWEET evening hour! sweet evening hour! That calms the air, and shuts the flower; That brings the wild bird to her nest, The infant to its mother's breast. Sweet hour! that bids the labourer cease; That gives the weary team release, And leads them home, and crowns them there With rest and shelter, food and care. O season of soft sounds and hues, |