"He that shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his water shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty: they shall behold the land of far distances."-Isaiah xxxiii. 15, 16, 17. WALKING with eyes fast closed, that nought of evil they may see; Dwelling in God alone; from all things earthly, bare and free; Thus may our spirits, as on eagles' wings, ascend on High ; And soar, untouched by fear and pain, and all life's misery. In this High Mountain, far above all things of time and sense, We build our dwelling in The Rock of Jesus, our Defence. There floweth Life's clear Water; Living Bread the spirit stays: There, on The King's Fair Beauty, shall our eyes for ever gaze.. "Thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! Then 'had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea."—Isaiah xlviii. 17, 18. BECAUSE my heart is blind and dense, God as my Teacher will abide : Because I am so weak and weary, He Himself will be my Guide. His Teaching is not emptiness; His Word the inner soul can feed: His Guidance through the darkness here, straight to Eternal Life doth lead. Mark, O my soul, what He would teach thee: keep for ever still and mild; In heart-seclusion following that loving guidance, as a child. So, like a softly-swelling river, through thy depths shall flow great peace: Then shall thy righteousness ebb forth, and like the ocean's waves increase. "Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head : they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away."-Isaiah li. II. POOR heart, who in thyself so long imprisoned here hast lain; Whose longing spirit cannot yet to Freedom quite attain: Have patience yet a little: all the sighs will soon be past: Hear, thy Redeemer cometh;-thou shalt be set free at last! At last thou shalt find gladness, and thy spirit shall regain Its origin divine; and praise its God with joyful strain. Sweet bliss shall crown thy head, in that Fair Life's Eternal Day: All sighs from that still Element for ever flee away. "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God; the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour."-Isaiah xliii. 1, 2, 3. GREAT Master, what am I, that thus Thy Love has reconciled, And through Thy Precious Blood redeemed an earth-born, sinful child: That Thou hast called me by my name, and claimed me for Thine own! Already, in the waters, Lord, Thy Presence I have known: Let all my dross be purged away; but keep Thou safe the gold: My Saviour, through the Furnace, let me still Thy Form behold! "Yea, in the way of Thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for Thee: the desire of our soul is to Thy Name, and to the remembrance of Thee. With my soul have I desired Thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek Thee early."-Isaiah xxvi. 8, 9. WHEN in His judgments' ways our God His own at times doth lead, There doth He hide His Presence, and the way seems dark indeed. Then do the Children's yearnings follow, searching for Him still; Their hearts' intent set only on their God, and on His Will. The striving of their spirits, and their inmost souls' desire Unto their only Treasure, and His Blessed Love, aspire. Their watch they keep from early dawn, and though the long, dark night; Waiting to catch a glimpse of Him in Whom their souls delight. |