SACRED POETRY. O THAT IT WERE WITH ME AS IN MONTHS PAST! Tune-" HIGHLAND MARY." Happy the time when Christ my Lord "Poor sinner, I forgive thee." A new creation round me smiled, What glories met together!— I felt that God was reconciled; New hopes, new joys, my soul possessed, In Jesus I found perfect rest, And thought I'd ceased from sinning: My soul o'erflowed with love divine— But all those heavenly joys are flown- I see my Saviour on me frown, THE PRODIGAL RETURNING TO HIS FATHER. I will arise, and go to my Father, and will say unto him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.-Luke xiv. 18, 19. Long the ways of sin I've trod, And sovereign grace have spurn'd, Mercy's calls I've all withstood, Trampled on redeeming blood, Where all the tares are burned. Hating God, his word, his cause, Loving sin, I scorned to pray; Light now bursts upon my eyes: "Father, I'm a wretch undone! Can save from endless wo." I for Christ my Saviour pant, I thy yoke no longer fear, THINE EYES SHALL SEE THE KING IN HIS BEAUTY. ISAIAH XXXIII. 17. All glorious is my King, His wondrous grace proclaim; Directed by his star, A heavenly babe is found; With swaddling clothes he's bound: My God assumes this form for me! From sacred Olivet, What truth his lips impart! Blessings unnumbered pledged, To all the pure in heart: Behold the grace! to me, my God, Points out the straight, the heavenly road. Astonished I behold Thy power, Almighty Lord, I see the leper cleansed, The palsied man restored, "And stand erect!" Thy word he hears, |