Dark is the soul of man all hist'ry shows, Until outshines God's pure and heav'nly light; Till then delusions play upon his sight―― Misleading ev'ry step, as on he goes, Each vile imposture working him great woes, Each cheat and lie, sprung up in murky night, Withstanding ever what is true and right, And love of gain all honesty o'erthrows.―― Reason, a flick'ring taper, is but dim, While pride and ev'ry passion keep their sway. Where then can help be found except in Him, Who spake at first, and night was turn'd to day?―― God's only Son! Shine thou on us in love; Then shall we dwell with thee in light above! 30. MARIA MALLEVILLE ALLEN. My MALLEVILLE! mature like fruitful vine About my house, while flourishing most fair Thou'rt smitten to the ground. Sighs fill the air, And here no longer can I call thee mine. But how can I against God's will repine? He will restore thee, and my loss repair, Sweet, growing, endless joys with thee to share, And with the holy who in glory shine! E'en now thy spirit lives, and joins the song, Which breaks like torrent from the harps of gold Resounding through heav'n's arches by the throng Of ransom'd sinners and with joys untold,―― "Let Wisdom, Honor, Pow'r in highest strain To thee, O LAMB, be paid, for Thou wast slain!" 31. PRAYER FOR MERCY. I dare not, Lord, claim aught of good from thee As in reward of virtue my just right; Up to thy throne on high, all-glorious, bright, I dare not lift my eyes. Humility Befits the child of sin and misery: Repenting tears may well bedim his sight. Yes, Savior, on my guilty breast I smite, And "Mercy! Mercy!" this is all my cry. 'Twas mercy, in thy vast, amazing love, Awaking wonder in th' angelic throng, That brought thee down from God's right hand above, Upon the cross to die, t' atone for wrong. Then wilt thou not my sad petition hear, And give me peace and hope, instead of fear? 32. THE LOST CHILD. Two days had pass'd; the anxious search was vain The wilder'd child in forest wide to find; But pity call'd once more the neighbors kind Each darksome nook t' explore with care and pain. In far-stretch'd rank, like fleet upon the main, Well rang'd by wisdom are their toils combin'd,―― With law――"If dead, a single horn shall wind:―― Alive, let gun and horn ring merry strain!"―― "Hark!"――as the Father lay with ear to ground, He cried;――"Alas, my wife, the single horn!―― Oh no! Gun, horn, and shout the forest shake!"―― So, when the wilder'd, sinning man is found, By grace recover'd and to goodness born, From angel hosts the shouts of joy outbreak. 33. MEXICAN IDOL.