But his kinsmen know not the high decree That rules o'er his future destiny. They spurn his aid, and reject the hand That would lead them forth from a hostile land. Trembling, he leans on his pilgrim rod, Once more, on the summit of Pisgah's rock With the dewy damps of death on his brow. The Promised Land, with its fields of green, And its waving trees, while rolls between The flowing Jordan's swelling stream, Shining beneath the sun's last beam. And there with the goodly land in view, TEMPTATION. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him."-James i. 12. OH! flee from temptation, and loiter not there By the green sunny bank, with its flowerets so gay, Each leaf hides an adder, each blossom a snare To entrap the weak Christian who lags on his way. Speed, speed on thy journey, and linger not near, To hear the glad music, the festival song, In the gay haunts of pleasure, but shun them with fear, Resist the temptation, and hasten along. A guerdon awaits thee, a heavenly crown, Which the world would depise, and reject with a frown, But Christ shall bestow on the faithful and true. Then haste on thy journey, and look not behind thee, But cast the first 'thought of temptation away; That Christ when He cometh in glory, may find thee Still watchful, still faithful, and call thee away. THE CROSS AND THE CROWN. "THEN said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."-Matt. xvi. 24. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing "-2 Timothy iv. 7, 8. YES, Lord, there is a cross below, The world without, the flesh within; But swift Thy heavenly succour flies, To cure my wounds, and ease the smart For Thou hast been a man of woe In this sad wilderness below And now, before the Father's throne, To leave the cross, and take the crown. |