GOD'S WORD.

THE BOOK.

THE WORD.

VOICE of the Holy Spirit, making known
Man to himself, a witness swift and sure.
Warning, approving, true and wise and pure,
Counsel and guidance that misleadeth none!
By thee the mystery of life is read;
The picture-writing of the world's gray seers,
The myths and parables of the primal years,
Whose letter kills, by thee interpreted
Take healthful meanings fitted to our needs,
And in the soul's vernacular express
The common law of simple righteousness.
Hatred of cant and doubt of human creeds
May well be felt; the unpardonable sin
Is to deny the word of God within!

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER.

Which Faith has suffered, Heaven could
calmly brook.

Transcendent boon! noblest that earthly king
Ever bestowed to equalize and bless
Under the weight of mortal wretchedness!
But passions spread like plagues, and thou-
sands wild

With bigotry shall tread the offering

Beneath their feet, detested and defiled.
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.

THE VASTNESS OF THE GOSPEL
LOST IN ITS SIMPLICITY.

FROM end to end we glance; from Adam's fall
To Christ's triumphant death and victory
At once; those mysteries that between them
be

By man are known but scantly, if at all:
And thus in time our marvel waxes small;
Thus gazing down into an air-like sea,
Its depth eludes us from its purity,
And treasures ours so cheaply vainly call
For gratitude or gladness. On we go,
Unmoved beneath a heaven of awe-struc

eyes,

While purer beings, angel minds that know
The cost of that great boon which we despise,
Look down on us, suspended from their skies.
With deeper awe than men on God bestow.

AUBREY DE VERE.