Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/167

 The much-enduring wisdom, sought By lonely prayer the haunted rocks among? Who counts it gain His light should wane, So the whole world to Jesus throng?

Thou Spirit, who the Church didst lend Her eagle wings, to shelter in the wild, We pray Thee, ere the Judge descend, With flames like these, all bright and undefiled, Her watch-fires light, To guide aright Our weary souls by earth beguiled.

So glorious let thy Pastors shine, That by their speaking lives the world may learn First filial duty, then divine, That sons to parents, all to Thee may turn; And ready prove In fires of love, At sight of Thee, for aye to burn.


 * When Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping. Acts xii. 26.

Thou thrice denied, yet thrice beloved, Watch by Thine own forgiven friend; In sharpest perils faithful proved, Let his soul love Thee to the end.

The prayer is heard—else why so deep His slumber on the eve of death? And wherefore smiles he in his sleep As one who drew celestial breath?

He loves and is beloved again - Can his soul choose but be at rest? Sorrow hath fled away, and Pain Dares not invade the guarded nest.

He dearly loves, and not alone: For his winged thoughts are soaring high Where never yet frail heart was known To breathe its vain Affection's sigh.