I

pray Thee speak to me."

A still small voice she heard within her soul,

"What is it, child? I hear thee-tell me all.”

"I pray Thee, LORD," she said,
That Thou will condescend
To tarry in my heart,

And ever be my friend.
The path of life is dark-
I would not go astray,

Oh, let me have Thy hand
To lead me in the way."

"Fear not I will not leave thee, child, alone."

She thought she felt a soft hand press her own.

"They tell me, LORD, that all

The living pass away-
The aged soon must die,

And even children may.

Oh, let my parents live,
Till I a woman grow;

For if they die, what can

A little orphan do?"

"Fear not, my child-whatever ills may come, I'll not forsake thee till I bring thee home."

Her little prayer was said,

And from her chamber, now,
She passed forth, with the light
Of heaven upon her brow.
"Mother, I've seen the LORD
His hand in mine I felt,
And oh, I heard Him say,
As by my chair I knelt,

"Fear not, my child-whatever ills may come, I'll not forsake thee till I bring thee home."

CHILD'S SELF-EXAMINATION.

BEFORE in sleep I close my eyes,

These things I must remember thrice;
What I've been doing all the day,
What were my acts at work or play?
What have I heard, what have I seen?
What have I learnt where'er I've been?
What have I learnt that's worth the knowing?
What have I done that's worth the doing?

GOING TO CHURCH.

What have I done that I should not?
What duty was this day forgot?
Before in sleep I close my eyes,
These things I must remember thrice;
If I've done ill, then I must pray,
That God would take my sins away,
And for the merits of His Son,
Forgive the evils I have done.

Then pardon'd daily, filled with love,
I'll be prepared to dwell above;
And there, with angels round the throne,
The love of GOD forever own.

GOING TO CHURCH.

WHITHER are those people walking?
Dear mamma, I want to know;
Some are with each other talking,
Some alone and silent go:
Through the wood and down the hill,
Many more are coming still.

Hark, my love, the bells are ringing,
"Tis to church the people turn;
Soon sweet psalms they will be singing,
Soon of JESUS' love they 'll learn.

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Each with Bible in his hand,
Goes to pray at GoD's command.

When to GOD we join in praying,
I, my child, will pray for thee;
O how kind was CHRIST in saying,
"Little children, come to ME."
Will you come and be His own—
Give your heart to Him alone?

M. L. DUNCAN.

THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.

JESUS CHRIST, my LORD and SAVIOUR,
Once became a child like me;—

Oh! that in my whole behavior,
He my pattern still might be.

LORD, assist a feeble creature ;

Guide me by Thy word of truth; Condescend to be my teacher,

Through my childhood and my youth.

Often I shall be forgetful

Of the lessons Thou hast taught,

Idle, passionate, and fretful,

Or indulging foolish thought.

THE WISH AND THE PRAYER.

Then permit me not to harden

In my sin, and be content; But bestow a gracious pardon And assist me to repent.

JANE TAYLOR.

THE WISH AND THE PRAYER.

Он, that mine eye might closed be
To what becomes me not to see;
That deafness might possess mine ear,
To what concerns me not to hear;
That truth my tongue might always tie,
From ever speaking foolishly!

That no vain thought might ever rest,
Or be conceived within my breast;

That by each word, each deed, each thought,
Glory may to my God be brought.

But what are wishes? LORD, mine eye

On Thee is fixed, to Thee I cry.

Oh, purge out all my dross, my sin,

Make me more white than snow within;
Wash, LORD, and purify my heart,
And make it clean in every part;
And when 't is clean, LORD, keep it so,
For that is more than I can do.

ELLWOOD.

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