Nor should we, with inactive mind,
Too much on others' aid rely,-
Trusting, like him of old, to find
Some Philip opportunely nigh.

In humble faith, with watchful prayer,
Dig for thyself within that mine;
God's holy grace must guide thee there,
And make its hidden treasures thine.

The Spirit, which gave Scripture birth,
Must yet interpret it to man,

Or much of its divinest worth

Dimly and darkly he must scan.

But, open'd by that heavenly key,
Which turns at God's divine command,

The

eye

its mysteries can see,

The heart its truths can understand.

PRAYER FOR HELP IN PRAYER.

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." -Romans, viii. 26.

INTERCESSOR! thron'd on high,
Unto man thine aid supply;
By thy influence still prepare
Humble hearts for holy prayer.

Dove-like, from on high, descend,
With our thoughts and feelings blend,

And the shadow of thy wing

O'er our suppliant spirits fling.

Lend to our infirmities

Living help, which grace supplies;
Thou, alone, canst teach alway
What to pray for,-how to pray.

Nor alone instruct us how
At the throne of grace to bow;
Far beyond our fervent prayer,
Be thyself our Pleader there.

Thy blest ministry fulfil,
Prove our Intercessor still;

Thy unutterable groans

Far transcend all mortal tones.

Known to Him that searcheth hearts

Every prayer thy aid imparts;

Thought and speech of ours may err,
Be thou their Interpreter.

Where our thoughts amiss would plead,

For their errors intercede;

And, where words of ours are vain,

May Thy groans acceptance gain.

HUMILITY AND FEAR EXPEDIENT.

"Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear."-Romans, xi. 20.

HAST thou, by heavenly grace benign,

From the wild olive-tree,

Been grafted on th' immortal Vine?

Yet fearful, lowly be.

Rememb'ring this-that He, who gave

Thy honour'd station there,

Must bid thy bough in greenness wave,
And teach it fruit to bear.

Have others, native to the stem,

Been broken off, as sere?

Exult not proudly over them,
But view thyself with fear.

Think not that He, who look'd for fruit

Upon the native bough,

Will, in his own engrafted shoot,

Of barrenness allow.

Thou wast there grafted to bring forth,
In these degenerate days,
Rich fruitage of immortal worth,

To His eternal praise.

By faith thou standest; and they fell

Because of unbelief;

If doubt or pride in thee should dwell, Thy date, like theirs, is brief.

He, who the native branches smote,

Though merciful, is just ;

He thy unfruitfulness will note,

And lay thee in the dust.