JOY IN BELIEVING.
"God desireth to have no slaves in his family."—Rev. Dr. Hawes.
Man asketh homage. When his foot doth stand
On earth's high places, he exacteth fear
From those who serve him. His proud spirit loves
The quick observance of an abject eye
And cowering brow. His dignity he deems,
Demands such aliment,—and he doth show
Its evanescence, by the food he seeks
To give it nutriment. Yea, more than this—
He o'er his brother rules, with scourge and chain,
Treading out Nature's charities, till life
To madness tortur'd, or in misery crush'd,
Goes, an accusing spirit, back to God.
—But He, the Eternal Ruler, willeth not
The slavery of the soul. His claim is love,
A filial spirit, and a song of praise.
It doth not please him, that his servants wear
The livery of mourning. Peace is sown
Along their pilgrim path,—and holy hopes
Like birds of Paradise, do sweetly pour
Melodious measures,—and a glorious faith
Springs up o'er Jordan's wave. Say, is it meet
For those who wear a Saviour's badge, to sigh
In heathen heaviness, when earthly joys
Quench their brief taper? or go shrinking down
As to a dungeon, when the gate of Death
Opes its low valve, to show the shining track
Up to an angel's heritage of bliss?