O Thou bless’d Spirit: whether the Supreme Great ante-mundane Father; in whose breast Embryo creation, unborn being, dwelt, And all its various revolutions rolled, Present though future; prior to themselves Whose breath can blow it into naught again, Or from His throne some delegated power, Who studious of our peace, dost turn the thought From vain and vile to solid and sublime! Unseen Thou lead’st me to delicious draughts Of _Inspiration_, from a purer stream, And fuller of the God, than that which burst From famed Castalia. _Young._ We to his high _inspiration_ owe That what was done before the flood we know. _Denham._ How precious is the book divine By _inspiration_ given! Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine To guide our souls to heaven. It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts In this dark vale of tears; Life, light, and joy it still imparts, And quells our rising fears. This lamp through all the tedious night Of life shall guide our way, Till we behold the clearer light Of an eternal day. _Fawcett._ On the page of _inspiration_ Lo! the promise of salvation; May I earnestly inquire, May the Lord my soul _inspire_ With the love of truth divine, So to make that promise mine. _Egone._ INSTRUCTION. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and _instruction_. My son, hear the _instruction_ of thy father.--Proverbs, i. 7, 8. Hear _instruction_, and be wise, and refuse it not.--Proverbs, viii. 33. He that refuseth _instruction_ despiseth his own soul.--Proverbs, xv. 32. And chiefly Thou, O Spirit that dost prefer Before all temples, the upright heart and pure, _Instruct_ me, for Thou knowest: Thou from the first Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread Dove-like sat’st brooding on the vast abyss, And mad’st it pregnant. What in me is dark, Illumine; what is low, raise and support; That to the height of this great argument I may assert eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men. _Milton._ From heaven descend the drops of dew, From heaven the gracious showers, Earth’s winter aspect to renew, And clothe the spring with flowers; From heaven the beams of morning flow, That melt the gloom of night, From heaven the evening breezes blow Health, fragrance, and delight.