To change for good alone my mingled state In this brief life, and what I have to hold By God's firm word while endless years unfold,―― This wakens joy; and this will be my fate, When soon shall come my final, worldly date.―― Now hear I this――"O, chosen one, behold Wonders of love divine, by Christ unroll'd;―― Come, share our bliss unmeasurably great!"―― Not one is toss'd by tempest, all at rest;―― Not one is conscience-smitten of the throng;―― Not one a suff'rer, all I see are blest;―― All know God's truth, all lift th' eternal song.―― Thus hearing calls from ev'ry heav'nly voice―― These scenes in vision――DYING I REJOICE! 98. NIAGARA FALLS. Great are the works of God, which meet our sight. Proud, sinful man! thyself above all fear Of him who made the earth, come, stand but here, And here be taught his majesty and might. This stream from western lakes how broad and bright? But now its waves in froth and rage appear, And as they plunge down deep, their voice we hear, Like thunders bursting from the clouds of night. This river from his hand doth God outpour: Then say, O sinner! hast thou naught to dread From Majesty Divine, whom thou each hour Dost treat with scorn, though soon to join the dead? Pause in thy guilty path:――consider well―― God's wrathful flood may plunge thee down to hell! 99. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. How can a sinning man with God be just? This grand inquiry all men need to make, For all are guilty; and they well may quake For flagrant evil deeds or secret lust, For which God's law smites down their prideful trust. Ye sleepers on the brink of woe! awake And to the Gospel listen:――that can break The fetters binding all the lost unjust. Justice and love in wonderful display, Mercy and truth in union sweet combine, And shine forth glorious in the scheme divine. The word reveal'd unfolds to us the way, By which we, sinners, can be just with God;―― It is by FAITH in Christ's atoning blood. 100. TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL. O, blessed day, when through the world below JESUS shall reign the prince of love and peace, For then shall men their angry contests cease, And never more appear in hostile show;―― The sword transform'd into th' unbloody plow And spear to pruning hook for thriving trees. The kid lies down with leopard at his ease, And grizzly bear feeds harmless with the cow. The wolf and lamb together peaceful dwell, The calf with the young lion too are led By hand of little child. Ah, who can tell How chang'd the scene, when, fiery passions fled, No stain is seen on human hand of blood, But all men live in holy Brotherhood? REMARKS ON THE NATURE AND HISTORY OF THE SONNET.