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"Domestic happiness, thou only bliss
Of Paradise, thou hast survived the fall!
Though few now taste thee unimpaired and
Or, tasting, long enjoy thee; too infirm,
Or too incautious to preserve thy sweets
Unmixt with drops of bitter, which neglect
Or temper sheds into thy crystal cup.

pure,

Thou art the nurse of virtue-in thine arms
She dwells, appearing, as in truth she is,
Heav'n born, and destined to the skies again.
Thou art not known, where pleasure is ador'd,
That reeling goddess with the zoneless waist,
And wand'ring eyes, still leaning on the arm
Of novelty, her fickle, frail support;
For thou art meek and constant, hating change,
And finding in the calm of truth-tried love.
Joys that her stormy raptures never yield.
Forsaking thee, what shipwrecks have we made
Of honor, dignity, and fair renown!"

BETHEL;

OR,

THE CHRISTIAN'S HOUSE.

THE superabundance of grace displayed in the Christian system is not likely to be appreciated, much less exaggerated, in this cold and selfish and sensual age. It would sometimes seem to me as though not one of a thousand in the whole army of the church militant did realize the amount of privilege, of wealth and honour guarantied to those in covenant with the Lord Messiah. The state and estate are, it would seem, alike unknown and unknowable, to the plodding votaries of man-made systems of devotion-seekers of religion-apprenticed converts the speculative catechumenoi of sectarian schools.

The religion of the Lord Messiah is indeed a personal affair—a spiritual concern- -a soul-absorbing, subduing, ennobling institution. The subject and the object are persons, not things-not doctrines, not theories, not forms; but living, thinking, talking, acting agents. The elements of this celestial invention are one person believing, trusting in, loving, admiring, rejoicing in, and obeying another person. It is the intercourse, the commerce, the converse, the intimacies, the communings and communications of two kindred minds of very unequal standing-of very dissimilar rank and dignity. It is a sinful creature pardoned,

B

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