ANNIVERSARY OF BAPTISM. BY A CONVERT.

On this steep pathway, which, with prayers, I climb, I pause a moment—as a traveller might, Weary and footsore, and in dusty plight, Hearing, far off, the clear, melodious chime Of bells that mark the swiftly passing time: Then, as he pauses on the beetling height, Through filming distance fixes his keen sight On one faint speck, his starting point at prime, And takes fresh courage for the sharp ascent— Thus do I pause to-day; my steadfast eye Fixed on that point of time, in which doth lie The germ of all which can my soul content; On which my waking thoughts, my dreams, are bent: Then, turn where life’s still summits touch th’ eternal sky.