ILLUSTRATIONS. ""T is sweet to Him who treasures love divine, What acts of wonder, and what words of grace : "And sweet to them whose bounded lot at home Constrains their steps in quietude to stay, Yea, sweet it is to them, afar to roam In thought, companions of the palmer's way,- The debt of more than patriot fondness pay,- Or thy once glorious towns, thrice favored Galilee ?" Bishop Mant. POETICAL ILLUSTRATIONS. BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. "The day-spring from on high hath visited us."-Luke i. 78. I. TOILING through the livelong night, Thus, when fraud and rapine threw Tears of joy and gratitude Hailed the Baptist's natal morn, Born to go before the face Of Judea's Saviour king; To the mourning land to bring. Thus began the song of praise S. G. Bulfinch. II. THY servants in the temple watched Their holy vows to pay; And chosen saints far off beheld On us the Sun of Righteousness And let us look with joyful hope Before whose brightness, sin and death, And grief, shall flee away. Spirit of the Psalms. BIRTH OF JESUS. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace; good will toward men."-Luke ii. 14. I. No war or battle's sound Was heard the world around, No hostile chiefs to furious combat ran; But peaceful was the night In which the Prince of light His reign of peace upon the earth began. The shepherds on the lawn, In social circle sat, while all around Or cropped the flowery food, When lo! with ravished ears, Each swain delighted hears Answering the stringed noise, With blissful rapture charmed the listening band. |