Not so you mourn'd, if through Christ's blood,
You trust your lov'd one rose on high,
While you pour'd forth griefs bitter flood,
He swell'd th' eternal minstrelsy.

O happy change from earth and woe,
To heaven, and love's meridian glow!

Not in rebellion was he found,

Not spurning sire's or mother's love,
But all was peace and hope around,
When wisdom bade him hence remove:
To you it seems a darksome cloud,
Which doth Jehovah's conduct shroud.

But glory soon shall gloom disperse,
And then God's reasons all displayed;
You shall his righteous acts rehearse,

Whose hand was on your Isaac laid.
Who took him to his glorious throne,
That you might press more eager on.

Ee'n David raised a cheerful song,
Ere yet he quitted sorrow's vale;
He lived to prove God's arm was strong,
That faith o'er nature could prevail.
Could hush grief's tempest in his breast,
And make a sorrowing parent blest.

Ee'n so may you, the Lord still lives,
Father of mercies is his name;
Rich comforts he to mourners gives,
Go mourner, and put in your claim.
So shall your songs to heaven arise,
To bless that friend who never dies.

Better than son or daughter he,

Who bending from his gracious throne,
Says, "Cast thy burden all on me,
To me make all thy sorrows known.
My sympathy, O come and prove,
And rest in my undying love."

THE BIRTHDAY OF THE AFFLICTED ONE.

"A man who was blind from his birth."-John ix. 1.

In many families there is an afflicted one. Some are afflicted in a similar manner to the young man abovementioned. Other families have one or more deaf and dumb. Some children are lame, others afflicted with an incurable malady, and a few are destitute of reason. Why God permits such cases to exist we cannot say; except that we are sure that they are intended for the moral discipline of those among whom these afflicted

ones are cast. To humble pride, to teach us dependence upon God, to awaken sympathy, and exercise submission, are, doubtless, among the ends which God has in view.

Let those families which are mercifully exempted from such trials be truly thankful; but let them beware of pride and self-glorying. What avails a perfectly formed body if the mind be empty and vain, and the soul deformed by pride and evil passions. It may be, vain young person, that the rude structure which you are inclined to look at with contempt contains a soul much fairer than yours. If you, fair maiden, grow up in pride and vanity; far better that you were lame or blind. If you, young man, employ your intellect in reasoning against God, and in evading his claims, far better you had been born an idiot.

Let no one cast reflections upon the families thus afflicted. "Who did sin; (say the disciples) this man, or his parents?" They took it for granted, that one or the other had so acted as to cause God in judgment to withhold the blessing of sight.

reproves them, and instructs us:

The Lord's answer "Neither hath this

man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be manifested in him." We should not judge according to the appearance, nor try to account for all God does. Our business is not to find out why so much misery is permitted, but to do all we can to

relieve it. Let us show all kindness toward such afflicted families; and if they are poor, do all in our power to assist them. Especially to the afflicted one, let all tenderness be shown. Ah! there is one whose love is not likely to fail, however afflicted and deformed its object may be; it is in such cases that a mother's love appears so beautiful and triumphant.

But let others aid the mother in her devoted kind

ness.

Brothers and sisters can do something to soothe the sufferer's pain, and to make the long hours pass away more pleasantly. On the birthday of the afflicted one, let some extra tokens of affection prove that you do not think him a burden; cause him to feel by the tenderness of your love, that there is yet something worth living for. Leave not the sad heart to pine over the thought of being neglected by all. Win his gratitude, and you will be abundantly repaid.

But having pleaded the cause of the afflicted one, I would say a few words to such of this class as are capable of understanding. God hath given you life, and it is his sovereign will which hath made you what you are, and placed you where you are. Repining will do you no good, but resignation will. Listen to what God says to you in his word. You have much leisure for studying it, let it be your companion and you will not be solitary; your comforter, and you will be happy; your teacher, and it will tell you of a world

without sin or sorrow; and point you to a guide who will safe conduct you there.

Your birthday may be is one of sorrow, and looking forward, you see little else before you. Look to Jesus, cast yourself upon him, and your light afflictions which are but for a moment, shall work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

"There's not a spot on this green globe,

Beneath yon arched sky;

But has a Rachel, or a Job,

To suffer, or to sigh.

"Here perfect bliss can ne'er be found,

The honey's mix'd with gall;

'Midst changing scenes and dying friends,
Be thou my all in all."

THE BIRTHDAY OF THE SOLITARY ONE.

"Lover and friend hast thou put from me."-Psalm lxxxviii. 18. Hope thou in God."-Psalm xlii. 11.

MANY persons have to keep a solitary birthday, and it is to them a day of unusual sadness, because of its distressing contrast with the days that are past. An aged woman, for instance, sits in her little room, and calls to mind the time when her husband was at her side, and her children around her; when her life was a very busy one, yet full of happiness, mixed of course with cares