Mission of John's Disciples. "What went ye out into the wilderness for to see?"-LUKE, vii, 24. WHAT went ye out to see O'er the rude sandy lee, Where stately Jordan flows by many a palm, Or where Gennesaret's wave Delights the flowers to lave, That o'er her western slope breathe airs of balm? All through the summer night, Those blossoms red and bright* Spread their soft breasts, unheeding, to the breeze, Around the sacred hill, Where erst our Saviour watched upon his knees. The Paschal moon above Seems like a saint to rove, Left shining in the world with Christ alone: * Rhododendrons: with which the western bank of the lake is said to be clothed down to the water's edge. MISSION OF JOHN'S DISCIPLES. Below, the lake's still face Sleeps sweetly in the embrace Of mountains terraced high with mossy stone. Here may we sit and dream Over the heavenly theme, Till to our soul the former days return; Where thousands once He fed, O cross no more the main, To count the reeds that tremble in the wind, Like children gazing round, Who on God's works no seal of Godhead find: Bask not in courtly bower, Or sunbright hall of power, Pass Babel quick, and seek the holy land; From robes of Tyrian dye Turn with undazzled eye To Bethlehem's glade, or Carmel's haunted strand. Or choose thee out a cell In Kedron's storied dell, Beside the springs of Love, that never die; *"Now there was much grass in this place."-ST. JOHN vi. 10. 77 78 MISSION OF JOHN'S DISCIPLES. Among the olives kneel The chill night-blast to feel, And watch the moon that saw thy Master's agony. * Then rise at dawn of day, And wind thy thoughtful way, Where rested once the Temple's stately shade, With due feet tracing round The city's northern bound, To th' other holy garden, where the Lord was laid.† Who thus alternate see His death and victory, Rising and falling as on angel wings, They, while they seem to roam, Draw daily nearer home, Their heart untravel'd still adores the King of kings. Or, if at home they stay, In spirit journeying through the glorious land, Not for light Fancy's reed, Nor Honor's purple meed, Nor gifted Prophet's lore, nor Science' wondrous wand. *The passover, when our Saviour suffered, was always at the full moon. It is worthy of notice, that gardens have been the scenes of the three most stupendous events that have occurred on earth-the temptation and fall of man, the agony of the Son of God, and his resurrection from the grave. MISSION OF JOHN'S DISCIPLES. But more than Prophet, more Than Angels can adore. With face unveil'd, is He they go to seek. Blessed be God, whose grace Shows him in every place To homeliest hearts of pilgrims pure and meek. 79 Mary Magdalen. And He said to the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”— LUKE vii. 50. THE plaining murmur of the midnight wind, Mute echo in the sorrowing human heart. About to fall, over the faded flowers, About to die; the year has yet in store A few dim hours, but they are dark and cold ; And it has only left the worn-out soil, The leafless bough, and the o'er-clouded sky. And shall humanity not sympathize With desolation like its own? So do our early dreams fade unfulfill'd; So does our hope turn into memory— |