We walk amid _delusions_ here, Our joys are unsubstantial things, Though glorious our dreams appear, They have their quick evanishings; They cheat the sense, with vain pretence, The heart that on them leans deceive; _Delusive_ all, they rise and fall, And nought but sad remembrance leave. _Egone._ DENIAL. Whosoever shall _deny_ me before men, him will I also _deny_ before my Father which is in heaven.--Matthew, x. 33. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt _deny_ me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not _deny_ thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.--Matthew, xxvi. 33, 34, 35. I think that look of Christ might seem to say:-- “Thou, Peter! art thou then a common stone, Which I at last must break my heart upon, For all God’s charge to His high angels may Guard my foot better? Did I yesterday Wash my feet, my beloved, that they should run Quick to _deny_ me, ’neath the morning sun,-- And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray? The cock crows coldly,--Go, and manifest A late contrition, but no bootless fear! For when thy deathly need is bitterest, Thou shalt not be _denied_, as I am here-- My voice to God and angels shall attest,-- ‘Because I know this man let him go clear.’” _Elizabeth Barrett._ She in her Saviour’s ranks had done A veteran’s service, and with Polycarp Might say to Death, “For more than fourscore years He was my Lord--shall I _deny_ Him now?” No! no! thou could’st not turn away from Him Who was thy hope in youth, and on whose arm The feebleness of hoary hairs were staid. Before His Father, and the Angel host, He will adjudge thee faithful. So farewell, Blessed and full of days. _Mrs. Sigourney._ Numbers before have try’d, And found the promise true; Nor yet one been _deny’d_, Then why should I or you? Let us by faith our footsteps trace, And hasten to the throne of grace. _John Newton._ DESIRE--DESIRES. Lord, all my _desire_ is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.--Psalm xxxviii. 9. And I will shake all nations, and the _desire_ of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.--Haggai, ii. 7. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a _desire_ to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.--Philippians, i. 23.