GRACE AFTER A MEAL.

O Lord, for this our daily food,
Accept our praise and gratitude;

And add, through our Redeemer's grace,
Those blessings which shall never cease.

W. E. L.

THAT YE, THROUGH HIS POVERTY,
MIGHT BE RICH.-L. M.

O'er the dark wave of Galilee
The gloom of twilight gathers fast,
And on the waters drearily
Descends the fitful evening blast.

The weary bird hath left the air,

And sunk into his sheltered nest; The wandering beast has sought his lair, And laid him down to welcome rest.

Still, near the lake, with weary tread,
Lingers a form of human kind;
And on His lone unsheltered head
Flows the chill night-damp of the wind.

Why seeks He not a home of rest?

Why seeks He not a pillowed bed? Beasts have their dens, the bird its nest; He hath not where to lay His head.

Such was the lot He freely chose,
To bless, to save the human race;
And through His poverty there flows
A rich full stream of heavenly grace.

THE PILOT.

Oh, Pilot! 'tis a fearful night,
There's danger on the deep,

I'll come and pace the deck with thee,
I do not dare to sleep:

Go down! the sailor cried, go down,
This is no place for thee;
Fear not, but trust in Providence,
Wherever thou may'st be.

Ah! Pilot, dangers often met
We all are apt to slight,

And thou hast known these raging waves
But to subdue their might:

It is not apathy, he cried,

That gives this strength to me!
Fear not! but trust in Providence,
Wherever thou may'st be.

On such a night the sea engulphed
My father's lifeless form;
My only brother's boat went down
In just so wild a storm:

And such perhaps may be my fate,
But still I say to thee,

Fear not! but trust in Providence,
Wherever thou may'st be.

THE FIRST GRIEF.

"Oh! call my brother back to me,
I cannot play alone;

The summer comes with flower and bec,-
Where is my brother gone?

"The butterfly is glancing bright
Across the sunbeam's track;

I care not now to chase its flight,-
Oh! call my brother back!

"The flowers run wild-the flowers we sowed Around the garden tree;

Our vine is drooping with its load ;-
Oh! call him back to me!"

"He would not hear my voice, fair child!
He may not come to thee;

The face that once like spring-time smiled,
On earth no more thou'lt see.

"A rose's brief bright life of joy,
Such unto him was given !-
Go, thou must play alone my boy!
Thy brother is in heaven."

"And has he left the birds and flowers?
And must I call in vain ?

And, through the long, long summer hours, Will he not come again?

"And by the brook, and in the glade,
Are all our wanderings o'er?

Oh! while my brother with me played,
Would I had loved him more ?"

F. HEMANS.

WALKING WITH GOD.-C. M.
Oh! for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and His word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd !
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest;

I hate the sins that make Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,

Whate'er that idol be,

Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;

So purer light shall mark the road

That leads me to the Lamb.

COWPER.

KEEP THE SUNSHINE IN YOUR FACES.

Oh there is much to live for

In this changing world of ours,
Much to watch and fondly tend
Among its varied flowers ;-
There are hearts to gently soften,
And lead from error's track;
With love's sunshine in our faces
We may bring its wanderers back.

Oh! many an erring brother
Needs a kindly look and smile,
A ready hand to help him

From the sin that would beguile.
He has need of our kind wishes
As oft aside he roams,-

We must pray for him at all times,
And keep sunshine in our homes.

And sunshine in our hearts too,
To gild our thoughts of all
Forgiveness and long-suffering
For any who may fall.

And love like Thine who could forgive
When nailed upon the tree,

Bid heaven's sunshine fill our souls,

And make us more like Thee!

L'ESPERANCE.

G