And he, poor insect of a summer's day,
Dreams of eternal honours to his name ;
Of endless glory and perennial bays.
He idly reasons of eternity,
As of the train of ages-when, alas!
Ten thousand thousand of his centuries
Are, in comparison, a little point
Too trivial for account. Oh, it is strange,
'Tis passing strange, to mark his fallacies :
Behold him proudly view some pompous pile
Whose high dome swells to emulate the skies,
And smile, and say, 'My name shall live with this
Till time shall be no more;' while at his feet,
Yea, at his very feet, the crumbling dust
Of the fallen fabric of the other day
Preaches the solemn lesson. He should know
That time must conquer; that the loudest blast
That ever fill'd Renown's obstreperous trump
Fades in the lapse of ages, and expires.
Who lies inhumed in the terrific gloom
Of the gigantic pyramid? or who
Rear'd its huge walls? Oblivion laughs, and says,
The prey is mine. They sleep, and nevermore
Their names shall strike upon the ear of man,
Their memory burst its fetters.-Kirke White.
2960. REPENTANCE. Blessing of
And being's perfect bliss is given,
Lo, a new Eden starts to view,
While angel-harps rejoice in heaven
'Tis wondrous all, divinely bright,
And the new creature walks in light.—Grinfield.
2961. REPENTANCE. Humility of
ON bended knees, replete with godly grief,
See where the mourner kneels to seek relief,
No God, I thank Thee,' freezes on his tongue,
For works of merit that to him belong;
Deep in his soul conviction's ploughshare rings,
And to the surface his corruption brings;
He loathes himself, in lowest dust he lies,
And all abased'Unclean, unclean,' he cries.
From his full heart pours forth the gushing plea,
• God of the lost, be merciful to me!'
The light of life descends in heavenly rays,
And angels shout, and sing, 'Behold, he prays.'
W. Holmes.
2962. REPENTANCE: limit to its power.
FOR evils which are 'gainst another done,
Repentance makes no satisfaction
To him that feels the smart.-- Wilkins.
His temper, therefore, must be well observed:
Chide him for faults, and do it reverently,
When you perceive his blood inclined to mirth;
But being moody, give him line and scope,
Till that his passions, like a whale on ground,
Confound themselves with working.—Shakespeare.
Reprove not in their wrath incensed men ;
Good counsel comes clean out of season then:
But when his fury is appeased and past,
He will conceive his fault, and mend at last :
When he is cool and calm, then utter it :
No man gives physic in the midst o' th' fit.
Randolph.
2965. REPUTATION.
THE purest treasure mortal times afford,
Is spotless reputation; that away,
Men are but gilded loam, or painted clay.
Shakespeare.
Good name, in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something,
nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thou
But he that filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that, which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.-Shakespeare.
Thy credit wary keep, 'tis quickly gone :
Being got by many actions, lost by one.
Randolph.
Of virtuous actions pass'd, if not kept up
By an access and fresh supply of new ones,
Is lost and soon forgotten; and like palaces,
For want of habitation and repair,
Dissolve to heaps of ruin. -Denham.
O reputation! dearer far than life,
Thou precious balsam, lovely, sweet of smell,
Whose cordial drops once spilt by some rash hand
Not all the owner's care, nor the repenting toil
Of the rude spiller, ever can collect
To its first purity and native sweetness.-Sewell.
Who swerves from innocence, who makes divorce Of that serene companion-a good name, Recovers not his loss; but walks with shame, With doubt, with fear, and haply with remorse. Wordsworth.
He is a poor warder of his fame, who is ever on the watch to keep it spotless:
Such care argueth debility, a garrison relying on its sentinel.
Passive strength shall scorn excuses, patiently waiting a reaction;
He wotteth well that truth is great, and must prevail at last :
But fretful weakness hasteth to explain, anxiously
And ignorant that perishable falsehood dieth as a branch cut off.-Tupper.
2966. RESIGNATION. A call for
BE still in God! Who rests on Him
Enduring peace shall know,
And with a spirit fresh and free
Through life shall cheerly go.
Be still in faith! Forbear to seek
Where seeking nought avails,
Unfold thy soul to that pure light
From heaven which never fails.
Be still in love! Be like the dew
That, falling from the skies,
On meadows green, in thousand cups,
At morning twinkling lies!
Be still in conduct, striving not
For honour, wealth, or might!
Who in contentment breaks his bread
Finds favour in God's sight.
Be still in sorrow! 'As God wills!
Let that thy motto be;
Submissive 'neath His strokes receive
His image stamp'd on thee.
Be still in God! Who rests on Him
Enduring peace shall know,
And with a spirit glad and free
Through night and grief shall go.-Sturm.
2967. RESIGNATION. A psalm of
As Thou wilt, my God! I ever say;
What Thou wilt is ever best for me:
What have I to do with earthly care,
Since to-morrow I may leave with Thee?
Lord, Thou knowest I am not my own,
All my hope and help depend on Thee alone.
As Thou wilt! still I can believe,
Never did the word of promise fail;
Faith can hold it fast, and feel it sure,
Though temptations cloud, and fears assail.
Why art thou disquieted, my soul,
When thy Father knows and rules the whole?
As Thou wilt! still I can endure
Patiently my daily cross to bear: Why should I complain, a pardon'd child,
If the children's portion here I share? As Thou wilt, my Father and my God! I can drink the cup, and bless the rod.
2968. RESIGNATION. A psalm of
WE see not, know not; all our way
Is night, with Thee alone is day:
From out the torrent's double drift,
Above the storm, our prayers we lift,
The flesh may fail, the heart may faint,
But who are we to make complaint,
Or dare to plead, in times like these,
The weakness of our love of ease?
Thy will be done!
We take with solemn thankfulness
Our burden up, nor ask it less,
And count it joy that even we
May suffer, serve, or wait for Thee,
Whose will be done!
Though dim as yet in tint and line,
We trace Thy picture's wise design,
And thank Thee that our age supplies.
Its dark relief of sacrifice.
And if, in our unworthiness,
Thy sacrificial wine we press;
If, from thine ordeal's heated bars,
Our feet are seam'd with crimson scars,
Thy will be done!
Strike, Thou the Master, we Thy keys,
The anthem of the destinies,
The minor of Thy loftier strain :
Our hearts shall breathe the old refrain,
Thy will be done!—Whittier.
2969. RESIGNATION. Cause for
ALL are not taken! there are left behind
Living Beloveds, tender looks to bring,
And make the daylight still a happy thing,
And tender voices, to make soft the wind.
But if it were not so-if I could find
No love in all the world for comforting,
Nor any path but hollowly did ring,
Where 'dust to dust' the love from life disjoin'd-
And if before these sepulchres unmoving
I stood alone (as some forsaken lamb
Goes bleating up the moors in weary dearth), Crying 'Where are ye, O my loved and loving?' I know a Voice would sound, 'Daughter, I AM; Can I suffice for Heaven, and not for earth?' Mrs Browning.
2970. RESIGNATION. Christian
THY way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be!
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough,
It will be still the best,
Winding or straight, it matters not,
It leads me to Thy rest.
I dare not choose my lot;
I would not, if I might :
Choose Thou for me, my God,
So shall I walk aright.
Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill.-Bonar.
2971. RESIGNATION: its blessedness.
BLINDFOLDED and alone I stand
With unknown thresholds on each hand,
The darkness deepens as I grope,
Afraid to fear, afraid to hope:
Yet this one thing I learn to know
*Each day more surely as I go,
That doors are open'd, ways are made,
Burdens are lifted or are laid,
By some great law unseen and still,
Unfathom'd purpose to fulfil,
'Not as I will.'
Blindfolded and alone I wait;
Loss seems too bitter, gain too late;
Too heavy burdens in the load,
And too few helpers on the road;
And joy is weak and grief is strong,
And years and days so long, so long:
Yet this one thing I learn to know
Each day more surely as I go,
That I am glad the good and ill
By changeless law are order'd still,
'Not as I will.
'Not as I will,' the sound grows sweet,
Each time my lips the words repeat.
'Not as I will;' the darkness feels
More safe than light when this thought steals
Like whisper'd voice to calm and bless
All unrest and all loneliness.
'Not as I will,' because the One
Who loved us first and best has gone
Before us on the road, and still
For us must all His love fulfil,
'Not as we will.'-Helen Hunt.
2972. RESIGNATION. Perfect
My will would like a life of ease,
And power to do, and time to rest,
And wealth and health my will would please,
But, Lord, I know Thy will is best.
If I have strength to do Thy will,
That should be power enough for me, Whether to walk or to sit still
Th' appointment of the day may be. And if by sickness I may grow
More patient, holy, and resign'd,
Strong health I need not wish to know,
And greater ease I cannot find.
And rest-I need not seek it here-
For perfect rest remaineth still;
When in Thy presence we appear
Rest shall be given by Thy will.
Lord, I have given my life to Thee,
And every day and hour is Thine, What Thou appointest, let them be, Thy will is better, Lord, than mine.
2973. RESIGNATION. Prayer for
I ASK not now for gold to gild
With mocking shine a weary frame;
The yearning of the mind is still'd,—
I ask not now for fame.
A rose-cloud dimly seen above,
Melting in heaven's blue depths away,
O sweet, fond dream of human love,
For thee I may not pray.
But, bow'd in lowliness of mind,
I make my humble wishes known,
I only ask a will resign'd, 1
O Father, to Thine own.
To-day, beneath Thy chastening eye,
I crave alone for peace and rest,
Submissive in Thy hand to lie,
And feel that it is best.
A marvel seems the universe,
A miracle our life and death;
A mystery which I cannot pierce,
Around, above, beneath!
In vain I task mine aching brain,
In vain the sage's thought I scan:
I only feel how weak and vain
And poor and blind is man.
And now my spirit sighs for home,
And longs for light whereby to see, And like a weary child would come,
O Father, unto Thee.
Though oft, like letters traced on sand, My weak resolves have pass'd away, In mercy lend Thy helping hand
Unto my prayer to-day!- Whittier.
2974. RESIGNATION. Prayer for
O THOU, whose sacred feet have trod,
The thorny path of woe,
Forbid that I should slight the rod,
Or faint beneath the blow.
My spirit to its chastening stroke I meekly would resign,
Nor murmur at the heaviest yoke That tells me I am Thine.
Give me the spirit of Thy trust,
To suffer as a son,To say, though lying in the dust, My Father's will be done!
I know that trial works for ends Too high for sense to trace,— That oft in dark attire He sends
Some embassy of grace.
May none depart till I have gain'd
The blessing which it bears,
And learn'd, though late, I entertain'd
An angel unawares.
So shall I bless the hour that sent
The mercy of the rod,
And build an altar by the tent
Where I have met with God.-J. D. Burns.
2975. RESIGNATION. Prayers for
THOU Power Supreme! whose mighty scheme
These woes of mine fulfil,
Here firm I rest; they must be best,
Because they are Thy will!
CHILDREN, that lay their pretty garlands by
So piteously, yet with a humble mind; Sailors, who, when their ship rocks in the wind, Cast out her freight with half-averted eye, Riches for life exchanging solemnly,
Lest they should never gain the wished-for shoreThus we, O Father, standing Thee before, Do lay down at Thy feet without a sigh,
Each after each, our precious things and rare, Our dear heart-jewels and our garlands fair. Perhaps Thou knewest that the flower would die, And the long-voyaged hoards be found but dust; So took'st them, while unchanged. To Thee we trust For incorruptible treasure: Thou art just.
D. M. Muloch Craik, 2978. RESIGNATION. Reasons for LET nothing make thee sad or fretful Or too regretful;
What God hath order'd must be right.
Then find in it thine own delight,
My will.
Why shouldst thou fill to-day with sorrow
About to-morrow,
My heart!
One watches all with care most true,
Doubt not that He will give thee, too,
Thy part..
Only be steadfast, never waver,
Nor seek earth's favour,
But rest;
Thou knowest what God wills must be
For all His creatures, so for thee,
The best.-Fleming.
The penalty is borne, the ransom paid,
For all thy sins full satisfaction made;
Strive not to do thyself what Christ has done,
Claim the free gift, and make the joy thine own;
No more by pangs of guilt and fear distrest,
Rest, sweetly rest!
From all thy silent griefs, and secret pain, Thy profitless regrets, and longings vain; Wisdom and love have order'd all the past, All shall be blessedness and light at last ; Cast off the cares that have so long opprest; Rest, sweetly rest!
Lie down to slumber in the peaceful tomb:
Light from above has broken through its gloom;
Here, in the place where once thy Saviour lay,
Where He shall wake thee on a future day,
Like a tired child upon its mother's breast,
Rest, sweetly rest!
In the green pastures of the heavenly shore,
Where sin and sorrow can approach no more,
With all the flock by the Good Shepherd fed,
Beside the streams of Life eternal led,
For ever with thy God and Saviour blest,
Rest, sweetly rest!
2980. REST. Idleness is not
ABSENCE of occupation is not rest;
A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.
2981. REST: only to be found in God.
MADE for Thyself, O God!
Made for Thy love, Thy service, Thy delight;
Made to show forth Thy wisdom, grace, and might;
Made for Thy praise, whom veil'd archangels laud;
Oh, strange and glorious thought, that we may be
A joy to Thee!
Yet the heart turns away
From this grand destiny of bliss, and deems
'Twas made for its poor self, for passing dreams,
Chasing illusions, melting day by day;
Till for ourselves we read on this world's best,
This is not rest!'
Nor can the vain toil cease,
Till in the shadowy maze of life we meet
One who can guide our aching wayward feet
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No lambkin by its shepherd borne,
No dove its mate caressing,
No bondman freed, no pilgrim worn,
The grateful shade possessing;
No child clasp'd to its mother's heart,
No sick man when his pains depart,
No warrior, home returning ;
No man can know such perfect rest
As that which ends our weary quest,
Our gracious Lord discerning.
Oh winning words! Come unto me,
Ye weary and forsaken!'
They gave me rest: I came to Thee;
My burden Thou hast taken.
Thus I am well who once was ill;'
Up, soul! Thy lips with praises fill,
For praise Thy peace deserveth.
O Saviour! make me yet more blest;
Let me at last attain that rest,
Which Heaven for me reserveth!
Hiller, tr. by Professor Dunn.
2983. REST: the gift of Christ. 'COME ye yourselves apart, and rest awhile, With labour weary, and with crowds opprest;" Straightway they cross the sea at His behest, Their leisure sweeten'd by the Master's smile. 'Come to the lonely shore, or forest aisle,'
To us His gracious word is now addrest, 'Come to the mountain-solitude, and rest, Where peaceful hours may careful hearts beguile.' My Master, in Thine hand it is to measure
My times of work and weariness for Thee: My times of rest return at Thy good pleasure, By lake or mountain, wood or murmuring sea: But, to give sweetness to my hours of leisure, Come Thou Thyself, O Lord, and rest with me! Wilton.
2984. REST: the reward of the righteous. HAIL, heavenly voice, once heard in Patmos ; 'Write,
Henceforth the dead who die in Christ are blest :
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