What though to poverty’s imploring voice I give my earthly goods; though to the pile I yield my body, if thy genuine love Inspire not, this alike is void and vain. * * * * * Thou, mild and gentle nature, art estranged From envy, hatred, insolence, or pride; Thou seekest not thy own, but others’ weal; Slow to reprove, but studious to applaud, And from the eyes of malice to conceal The weakness thou lamentest to behold: For thou of each forgiv’st and hop’st the best, Forbearing and forgiving every ill. * * * * * The time shall come when prophecy itself, And all the knowledge which exalts mankind, Shall lose their use; these, while the state of man In imperfection lies, by Heaven are made To compass ends sublime; but when that state Imperfect, for perfection shall be changed, Shall fade away, and boast that use no more. But, subject to no change, through endless time Shall Faith, and Hope, and _Charity_ endure; And thou, O _Charity_, of these the chief, In high pre-eminence shalt ever reign! _C. P. Layard._ The consciousness of wrong, in wills not evil Brings _charity_. _Leigh Hunt._ When prophecies shall fail, When tongues shall cease, when knowledge is no more, And the Great Day is come, thou by the throne Shalt sit triumphant. _Glynn._ “Chief grace below, and all in all above!” What shall I call thee? _Charity_ or Love? Thy name is bliss; for let but grace remove The Serpent, Selfishness, and lo! the Dove, Cover’d with silver wings, or plumes of gold,[1] Enters the rescued heart, and keeps her hold: Then love to God on high, good will to men, With all the gentle virtues in their train, Flourish together, and together prove That bliss is but another name for Love! Blest affluence of that bright flame that glows Amid the Seraphim, “in burning rows,” Fill my whole soul! since who has most of Love, Knows most of Heaven, and of the joys above. _Mary Milner._ [1] Psalm lxviii. 13. CHARGE. The Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a _charge_ unto the children of Israel.--Exodus, vi. 13. He shall give his angels _charge_ over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.--Psalm xci. 11. Who shall lay any thing to the _charge_ of God’s elect. It is God that justifieth.--Romans, viii. 33. A _charge_ to keep I have, A God to glorify; A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfil;-- O may it all my powers engage To do my Master’s will.