Nor power, nor pedigree,

In their bright ranks are known ; But all, rejoicing, bend the knee Before the Saviour's throne.

The banner of the cross

Alone is spread abroad ;

And the armies which it saved from loss,
Beneath it worship God.

They wave their fadeless palms,
And strike their harps of gold,
And sing their everlasting psalms
To the Lamb amidst the fold.

Why should the flock beneath,
Like wolves each other tear,

While they hope by faith to conquer death,
And dwell for ever there?

Let sects on earth resign

Their selfishness and pride;

Then charity shall brightly shine,
And love and peace preside.

Then the banner of the cross
Wide over earth shall wave,
Redeeming every debt and loss-
Omnipotent to save!

JOHN BETHune.

66 WORK, AND WAIT*."

Up, brothers! 'tis a mighty deed
Angels would covet to begin,
Clapping their wings in eager speed,
A universe to win.

Toil on! It is your Maker's will:

His own bright world in chaos stood,

Waiting the labour of his skill,

Ere he pronounced it “

good."

Oaks of the forest once were seeds,

Innumerous billows surge the tide,
And earnest thoughts grow into deeds,
Worthy a nation's pride.

What, if our marshalled hosts be few,
Scheme so magnificent to dare!

Do isolated pearls of dew

No copious shower prepare?

* Nonconformist, April 24, 1850.

Are scattered rays of sphered light
Drawn to one focus, but to lend
A shadowy vapour to our sight,
A cloudy veil to blend?

Dissevered in their arrowy bound,

The flood of light and warmth they spread, Looms but to fringe the darkness roundTwilights the path we tread.

But, gathered in one burning orb,
Majestic in the power they wield;
Nought can their radiance absorb,

Save God's own cloud-wrought shield.

"Union is strength." A phalanx stand,
Breasting the world's contempt and scorn,
E'en should no palm-branch weigh your hand,
No crown your brow adorn.

The archives of our hallowed faith,
Emblazoned with celestial lore,

In utterance prophetic saith,

That " war shall be no more."

Godlike such purpose to achieve,

'Mid nations scorn and hate have riven;

Earth's rivalry of love to inweave

With brotherhood of heaven.

Truth-holy truth, deathless, divine,
Engraven on the immortal scroll,
With God's eternal throne for shrine,
Empire from pole to pole.

Does this demand your reverend care,
A martyrdom of faith and zeal?
Armed for the battle, boldly dare
The issue, woe or weal.

Duty is ours, and high-souled trust
In Him no mortal may defy.
Work!-for his law is good and just :
Wait!-truth can never die.

KATE PYER.

THE WIFE TO HER HUSBAND.

Linger not long! Home is not home without thee,
Its dearest tokens only make me mourn;
Oh! let its memory, like a chain about thee,
Gently compel and hasten thy return.
Linger not long!

Linger not long! Though crowds should woo thy staying:
Bethink thee, can the mirth of friends, though dear,
Compensate for the grief thy long delaying

Costs the fond heart that sighs to have thee here?
Linger not long!

Linger not long! How I shall watch thy coming,
As evening shadows stretch o'er moor and dell,
When the wild bee hath ceased her busy humming,
And silence hangs on all things like a spell.

Linger not long!

How shall I watch for thee, when fears grow stronger,
As night grows dark and darker on the hill!
How shall I weep when I can watch no longer;
Oh, art thou absent-art thou absent still!
Linger not long!

Haste-haste thee home unto thy mountain dwelling, Haste as a bird unto its peaceful nest!

Haste as a skiff, when tempests wild are swelling,

Flies to its haven of securest rest!

Linger not long!

ANON.