"Who gave their bodies to the flame, rather than once to swerve
From their allegiance to the God whom they delight to serve!
Therefore, let no one speak against this Glorious One and Just,
Who saves, as none but He can save, the souls that in Him trust!"

Then calmly to their wonted toil, their worldly cares again,
Unconscious of their deathless fame, went forth those dauntless men;
Thrice blessed men! with whom, that day, their gracious Lord had
walked,
And lovingly, as friend with friend, of hallowed mysteries talked.

He walked with _them_ amid the flames! Oh, to the paths _we_ tread,
The brighter, smoother, greener paths, with summer-flowers o'erspread,
If but our weak hearts welcome Him, the same dear Lord will come,
And walk with us through countless snares, till we arrive at home!




THE ASSEMBLY OF THE DEAD.

["Dr. Reid, a traveller through the highlands of Peru, is said to have
found in the desert of Alcoama the dried remains of an assemblage of
human beings, five or six hundred in number, men, women, and children,
seated in a semicircle as when alive, staring into the burning waste
before them. It would seem that, knowing the Spanish invaders were at
hand, they had come hither with a fixed intention to die. They sat
immoveable in that dreary desert, dried like mummies by the hot air,
still sitting as if in solemn council, while over that Areopagus
silence broods everlastingly."]