Ode on Charity.

By Grace Aguilar.

Recited by one of the boys of the School שערי תקוה Gates of Hope, London, on Tuesday, the 14th of April, 1840 (5600).

In searching for some papers lately, we accidentally laid our hands on the following effusion by our late friend, who adorned whatever she touched with the amiable religious sentiments of which her heart was full. The present represents words put in the mouth of a young child, in speaking of the benefits he received, with others, from those who watched over his early years; and the reader will therefore judge it in this light only. But if it had even less merit than it has, if the sentiments were those of an ordinary mind, in place of being imbued with that fervour which has since that time rendered her name familiar as the author of the many good books which she has made public since then, we would still give them publicity, as something which Grace Aguilar had written, and which ought as such not to be withheld from her many friends.—On the same leaf, Miss Aguilar transmitted to us a few lines by her friend Miss Samuda, the same, we believe, who so carefully and affectionately watched with her up to her last moments in a foreign land; and as such our friends will no doubt be glad to find that her feelings were so much in unison with one whom she tenderly regarded as a sister spirit, and was not separated from till the chill hand of death severed the bond which united them on earth.—Ed. Oc.

Oh thou, that sittest shrined far, far above,
Thou fleet-winged spirit of omniscient love!
Urging thy flight o’er ocean and o’er land,
Leaving sweet tokens of a Father’s hand,
Breathing of love from which no wo may hide,
‘Neath whose soft spell e’en sorrow’s tear is dried,
<<490>>Unseen and voiceless, yet the angel guest,
In every land that holds some gentle breast;
Thrice blessed Charity! to thee we raise
The simple ode of thankfulness and praise,
And blessing thee, in gratitude make known
The generous friends who heard thy pleading tone,
And o'er our lowly lots such joys entwined
As soothe the heart and purify the mind.
Blessings on those who to our youth would give
Means as the sons of Israel to live,
To aid us on our dark and rugged way,
And grant us knowledge, as our prop and stay.
How may we speak the thankfulness we owe,
The blessings lavished on a lot so low!
Save to upraise for them the fervent prayer,
Whose peace and fulness they would bid us share,
And bid return unto their own kind hearts
The blessings which their love to poverty imparts!