32

THE MOUNTAIN RILL.

To watch the rushes bend and rise

In the hot summer air;

The fishes leap-the water-flies

The banks reflected there.

And, better than the best of these,
To those that love the Lord,
To think of the great promises
He gives us in His word.

34

THE "TRY COMPANY."

And when at eve he's sleeping,
So quietly I'll creep,

And stooping o'er his cradle,

Will kiss him while asleep.

S. W. P.

THE "TRY COMPANY."

JOHN loves, above all things, to ride
In a railway train by his parents' side;
And one fine morning thus rode he,
With a tiny parcel on his knee.

The parcel with a cord was bound,
That tied it close, all round and round,

And with so tight a knot was tied

That all his efforts it defied.

A traveller sat smiling by,

And watched the child with curious

eye: "You can't," said he, "my little man; Here, cut it that's the better plan."

"Thank you," said John, "no knife I want,
Papa won't let me say 'I can't;'
I shall succeed, Sir, by-and-bye,
I'm one of the 'TRY Company.'"

And John set hard to work again,
Nor were his efforts long in vain ;
The cord began to loosen fast,
And so "try" gained the day at last.

S. W. P.

PRAYER FOR A LITTLE CHILD.

JESUS, love me, make me good,
Take my naughty heart away;
Jesus, teach me, for I would

Love Thee better every day.

Thine, dear Saviour, I would be;
Always gentle; always kind;
Make me, Jesus, just like Thee,
In my heart, and in my mind.

And

my little spirit give

A happy home with Thee on high.

ERNEST LEE.