But timorous mortals start and shrink
    To cross this narrow sea,
  And linger shivering on the brink,
    And fear to launch away.

  Oh! could we make our doubts remove,
    Those gloomy doubts that rise,
  And see the Canaan that we love
    With unbeclouded eyes—­

  Could we but climb where Moses stood,
    And view the landscape o’er,
  Not Jordan’s stream, nor death’s cold flood
    Should fright us from the shore.

ISAAC WATTS.

* * * * *

PEACE.

  My soul, there is a country
    Afar beyond the stars,
  Where stands a winged sentry,
    All skilful in the wars.

  There, above noise and danger,
    Sweet peace sits crowned with smiles,
  And One born in a manger
    Commands the beauteous files.

  He is thy gracious friend,
    And (O my soul awake!)
  Did in pure love descend,
    To die here for thy sake.

  If thou canst get but thither,
    There grows the flower of peace—­
  The rose that cannot wither—­
    Thy fortress, and thy ease.

  Leave, then, thy foolish ranges;
    For none can thee secure,
  But one who never changes—­
    Thy God, thy life, thy cure.

HENRY VAUGHAN.

* * * * *

STAR-MIST.

    FROM “STARS.”

  More and more stars! behold yon hazy arch
    Spanning the vault on high,
  By planets traversed in majestic march,
    Seeming to earth’s dull eye
  A breath of gleaming air:  but take thou wing
    Of Faith and upward spring:—­
  Into a thousand stars the misty light
  Will part; each star a world with its own day and night.

  Not otherwise of yonder Saintly host
    Upon the glorious shore
  Deem thou.  He marks them all, not one is lost;
    By name He counts them o’er. 
  Full many a soul, to man’s dim praise unknown,
    May on its glory throne
  As brightly shine, and prove as strong in prayer
  As theirs, whose separate beams shoot keenest thro’ this air.

JOHN KEBLE.

* * * * *

THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS.

    FROM “THE FAERIE QUEENE,” BOOK II.  CANTO 8.

  And is there care in heaven?  And is there love
    In heavenly spirits to these creatures base,
    That may compassion of their evils move? 
    There is:—­else much more wretched were the case
    Of men than beasts:  but O the exceeding grace
    Of Highest God! that loves his creatures so,
    And all his workes with mercy doth embrace,
    That blessed angels he sends to and fro,
  To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe!