SECTION VIII.

CHARACTER OF CHRIST,

BEHOLD, where, in a mortal form,
Appears each grace divine:
The virtues, all in Jesus met,
With mildest radiance shine.

The noblest love of human kind
Inspir'd his holy breast;

In deeds of mercy, words of peace,
His kindness was exprest.

To spread the rays of heav'nly light,
To give the mourner joy,

To preach glad tidings to the poor,
Was his divine employ.

Lowly in heart, by all his friends,
A friend and servant found:

He wash'd their feet, he wip'd their tears,
And heal'd each bleeding wound.

'Midst keen reproach, and cruel scorn,
Patient and meek he stood :

His foes ungrateful, sought his life;
He labour'd for their good.

In the last hour of deep distress,
Before his Father's throne,

With soul resign'd, he bow'd, and said,
"Thy will, not mine, be done !”

Be Christ my pattern, and my guide!

His image may I bear!

O may I tread his sacred steps;
And his bright glories share!

ENFIELD.

CHAPTER V.

PATHETIC PIECES.

SECTION I.

THE WINTER'S DAY.

WHEN raging storms deform the air,
And clouds of snow descend ;
And the wide landscape, bright and fair,
No deepen'd colours blend :

When biting frost rides on the wind,
Bleak from the north and east,
And wealth is at its ease reclin❜d,
Prepar'd to laugh and feast:

When the poor trav❜ller treads the plain, All dubious of his way,

And crawls with night-increasing pain, And dreads the parting day:

When poverty in vile attire,
Shrinks from the biting blast,
Or hovers o'er the pigmy fire,
And fears it will not last:

When the fond mother hugs her child
Still closer to her breast;

And the poor infant, frost-beguil❜d,
Scarce feels that it is prest:

Then let your bounteous hand extend
Its blessings to the poor;
Nor spurn the wretched while they bend
All suppliant at your door.

SECTION II.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DIVINE FAVOURS.

WHERE'ER I take my walks abroad,

How many poor I see!

What shall I render to my God,

For all his gifts to me?

Not more than others I deserve,
Yet God has giv'n me more;
For I have food, while others starve,
Or beg from door to door.

How many children in the street,

Half naked, I behold!

While I am cloth'd from head to feet,
And cover'd from the cold!

While some poor creatures scarce can tell,
Where they may lay their head,

I have a home wherein to dwell,
And rest upon my bed.

While others early learn to swear,
And curse, and lie, and steal,
Lord! I am taught thy name to fear,
And do thy holy will.

Are these thy favours day by day,

To me above the rest?

Then let me love thee more than they,

And try to serve thee best.

WATTS.

SECTION III.

THE EXCELLENCE OF THE BIBLE.

GREAT God! with wonder and with praise
On all thy works I look ;

But still thy wisdom, pow'r and grace,
Shine brightest in thy book.

The stars, which in their courses roll,
Have much instruction giv'n;
But thy good word informs my soul
How I may get to heav'n.

The fields provide me food, and show

The goodness of the Lord; But fruits of life and glory grow In thy most holy word.

Here are my choicest treasures hid,

Here my best comfort lies:
Here my desires are satisfied,

And hence my hopes arise.
Q