Let the stricken mother Watching for her passing Through the pearly gate. ANON. THE STAR AND THE CHILD. A MAIDEN walked at eventide She smiled until the beam was lost, As 'cross the sky a cloud was driven; And then she sighed, and then forgot The star was shining still in heaven. A MOTHER sat beside life's stream, She smiled until the eyelids closed, And then she wept, and then forgot ANON. THY WILL BE DONE. FATHER, I know that all my life And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see; But I ask Thee for a present mind, Intent on pleasing Thee. I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, I would not have the restless will I would be treated as a child, Wherever in the world I am, I have a fellowship with hearts And a work of lowly love to do, For the Lord on whom I wait. And if some things I do not ask I would have my spirit filled the more There are briers besetting every path, That call for patient care; There is a cross in every lot, And an earnest need for prayer; In a service which Thy will appoints, For my inmost heart is taught the truth And a life of self-renouncing love Is a life of liberty. A. L. WARING. THE CONTENTED MAN. WHY need I strive and sigh for wealth? It is enough for me That Heaven hath sent me strength and health, A spirit glad and free: Grateful these blessings to receive, I sing my hymn at morn and eve. On some what floods of riches flow! House, herds, and gold have they ; The more they have, they seek increase: A vale of gloom this world they call- Much happiness it has for all, And none are grudged a share. The little birds, on new-tried wing, And insects revel in the spring. For love of us, hills, woods, and plains In beauteous hues are clad; And birds sing far and near sweet strains, 66 "Rise," sings the lark, your tasks to ply!" The nightingale sings "Lullaby." And when the obedient sun goes forth When bloom o'erspreads the glowing earth I think those glories that I see Then loud I thank the Lord above, His love, it is a Father's love- JOHANN MILLER. THE FALLEN LEAVES. We stand among the fallen leaves, Where withered boughs are strown; We stand among the fallen leaves In youth's enchanted springWhen Hope (who wearies at the last) First spreads her eagle wing, We tread with steps of conscious strength Beneath the leafless trees, And the colour kindles in our check While, gazing towards the cold gray sky, We wish the old year all passed by, We stand among the fallen leaves Since 'neath those cold and faded trees Come round us, as those autumn leaves We stand among the fallen leaves HON. MRS. NORTON. MY MOTHER'S BIBLE. THIS Book is all that's left me now!- With faltering lip and throbbing brow I press it to my heart. For many generations past, Here is our family tree: My mother's hands this Bible clasped; She, dying, gave it me. Ah! well do I remember those Whose names these records bear, Who round the hearth-stone used to close After the evening prayer, And speak of what these pages said, In tones my heart would thrill!— Though they are with the silent dead, Here are they living still! |