Second Sunday after Epiphany

Some use religion as a cloak
Which need be only worn
When solemn days, by custom's claim,
At stated times return.

'Tis decent then, with Sunday clothes,
To put the semblance on,
To be as easily put off,
When the dull day is done.

Alas! how little can they know
The life divine within,
The gain, the loss, the joy, the woe,
Of holiness and sin.

He who hath tasted and hath seen
How gracious is the Lord;
Whose hungry soul hath fed upon
The manna of His word:

Whose desolate and lonely heart,
Hath brightened with the glow
Of that approving smile of Love
The pardon'd only know; —

He would not change one hour of peace,
For all the world could give;
Nor deem that it were life at all
Without his God to live.

.Not in the holy place alone,
Nor only when in prayer,
Doth he His gracious presence feel,
But always everywhere.

The world with all its goodliest gains,
Home with its calmest rest,
Life's heaviest aud life's lightest hours,
Without Him are unblest.

So, when of old the marriage feast
Was spread, they sought the Lord,
Joy from His gentle Presence flowed,
And plenty from His word.

He checked no gladness, such as might
The Christian's heart become,
From Him no cloud can ever fall
Over a Christian home.

And so let all our festal joy
Be in His presence found,
And so let every spot on earth
Be counted ' holy ground;'

And every day a solemn day
In which His gentle voice,
Speaking to us in every sound,
Bids every heart rejoice.

He shares our griefs: let us our joys
With Him devoutly share,
And every festive day we keep,
Be our Redeemer there!