Lo! here the “Man of sorrows” representatives hath left, The sick, the prisoners, the poor, of all but hope bereft; Aid to “the least of these His brethren” to the Lord is given, Off’rings of love to those He loves, He will accept in Heaven. But still the noblest gift that man can lay before God’s throne Is the rich tribute of a heart that trusts in Him alone; The poorest—least—this gift may bring, but oh! it will outweigh The treasures of the universe upon the judgment-day! XXXVIII. SONG OF HOPE. How highly blest were those who saw On earth their gracious Lord, Who dared approach His sacred form, Who listened to His word, Whose faith the Son of God approved,— Whom the Redeemer saw, and loved! Disciples hearkening to the voice Which reached the inmost soul, That voice which could awake the dead, The winds and waves control; Who heard—oh! more than happiness— Those accents pardon, praise, or bless! Who gazed on that soul-searching eye, Which every thought foresaw, From whose calm power the hypocrite Shrank with instinctive awe,— Yet saw on _them_ its glances fixed With tender mercy—love unmixed! And may not such ecstatic bliss Be granted e’en to me? Though death destroy this mortal flesh, These eyes my God shall see, When coming in the clouds of light His glory bursts upon my sight! To hear the Saviour’s voice of love Pronounce the gracious word, “Come, blessed of My Father, come, Enter the kingdom of your Lord;” To meet the smile in eyes divine— Oh! can such rapture e’er be mine! It may, it may, it is prepared For all who love Him here, Who humbly search His written word, And serve with faith and fear; They all shall see Messiah’s face Radiant with glory, love, and grace! The hand that guides their course on earth Shall wipe all tears away, The light which cheers their thorny path Shall flash to perfect day; Where Jesus reigns His saints shall be, With Him through all eternity! XXXIX. THE FEARFUL HEART. “Lord, carest Thou not that we perish!” Cried his followers in agonized fear, When the black stormy sky, And the waves dashing high, Made death with its terrors seem near. The Saviour awoke from His slumber— He spake, and rebuked the rude main; Though the wild cry for aid Feeble faith had betrayed, E’en that cry was not uttered in vain. “Lord, careth Thou not that we perish!” This oft is the cry of despair, When affliction’s waves roll, And the agonized soul Scarce can breathe forth her anguish in prayer. Yet the Saviour is watching beside us, His eye cannot slumber or sleep, The bark which he guides Where His Presence abides Can never be wrecked on the deep.