_The Clouds._

The clouds that drift, are slowly drawn To that glorious sun at dawn. Darkened mists, and now so bright, Resplendent in the morning light; In borrowed glory,--spreading flame, God's fiery pillar still they frame.

So I,--in dark night once astray Through boundless grace have found my way, To thee,--the Sun of Righteousness, Whose wings are healing in distress.

From thee I trust, the dawning gleam Hath made me more than I can seem; Hath made me thine, in joy, in tears, Thy pardoned one,--one all whose fears

Are silenced in thy cross-wrung groan, Buried beneath thy tomb's vast stone, Which angels' hands alone can move. Earth has this pure work for their love.

Oh let thy glory shine on me, Armed in thy purest panoply. My shield, the Lamb, the cross it bears, Let me not weep its stain with tears! The gathering waters fill each cloud; The mountain's burnished tops they shroud. They spread o'er valley, over plain, Rich with God's blessings in the rain; On good and evil both they fall, In the vast care of God for all.

So Lord, thy servant thus prepare, To bear thy mercies everywhere. When in the grave mine ashes sleep, When o'er it, sad a friend may weep,

Thou wilt not suffer it be said,-- His life was scarce accredited By Him who sits upon the throne,-- By Him who bore our sins alone, Who wills our holy walk on earth, As sons of God, of heavenly birth, Who will have none disciples here Unless their cross with zeal they bear.

Life without Christ! That is but death. Prayer without Christ!--but idle breath: And love for man, but vanity Save at the cross 'tis learnt by me. Oh help thy branch, thou heavenly Vine. Union with thee is life divine, And clustered fruits are ever mine,

If from beneath alone we gaze, Thy providence a darkened maze. Rise on wings of faith and prayer, And then what love and wisdom there! So brightness of unbroken day Upon those clouds doth heavenward lay Though we can trace no single ray, Who look from earth. Yet angels see The glory as a silver sea.

VII.