Hark! His voice which calls thee home,
With His sons to have thy lot-
'Suffer little babes to come

Unto Me: forbid them not.'

Awake from sleep, dear child! &c.

Light of light, He sheds His ray
On the bright baptismal wave,
That the children of the day
May see far beyond the grave:

Awake from sleep, dear child! &c.

'Tis not dark with Jesus near:
Little baby, do not cry,

From the wave He stills thy fear,
Saying,' Fear not, it is I'

Awake from sleep, dear child! &c.

See, His arms are open wide,
For His little one alone :

They will press thee to His side,
Surpliced white as is thine own:
Awake from sleep, dear child! &c.

Come, then, little babe, awake
From the slumber of the night;
For Christ's dawn begins to break
On thy soul, all pure and white :
Awake from sleep, dear child!
Arise from death's dark night,
And Jesus, meek and mild,

Shall give thee light.

G. M.

From HYMNS AND CAROLS FOR CHILdren.

THE PRAYER OF THE NEWLY CONFIRMED.

I DEDICATE these early hours,

The dew yet sparkling on the flowers,
My morn of life, yet bright and free,
God of the morning, unto Thee.

The hope and promise of my Spring,
Lord of my soul, to Thee I bring.
The buds, the leaves already given,
O ripen all the fruit for heaven.

The offering is all unmeet,
O Lord, to lay before Thy feet;
Yet wilt Thou not Thy child disown,
Giver and gift are all Thine own.

And Thou who teachest me to bear
My all to Thee, in faith and prayer,
Will guide henceforth, direct and prove,
And bless me with Thy changeless love.

T. V. FOSBERY.

HOLY COMMUNION.

CHRIST seeks a cleansèd heart,

A chamber set apart;

Fear not, whoe'er thou art,

Unto the worst and least

May grace be more increased,

If Jesus come to thee, and keep the feast.

Thus saith He: 'Make thee meet,

Prepare, where I may eat,

An ordered chamber sweet :

Then, though no board be spread,

Lo, I will bring the Bread,

And from the Vine of heaven thy cup make red.'

But look thou ere He come,

Purge leaven from thy home;

Search there for every crumb :

For every thought within,

Tainted by self and sin,

Such cast thou out before the day begin.

Then shut the world without,

The noisy throng and rout

Of sins that press about;

And, silent and alone,

Sit thou and make thy moan,

Weep that thou art not worthy He should come.

Nor weep alone, but pray ;

When sin is put away,

Then seek thou every day

Some grace that thou mayest wear;

Or deck thy chamber bare

With loving deeds, that He may find it fair.

Thus may thy love be proved;

As loving hearts are moved
To make for their beloved
The best, the fairest place,

Go, gather every grace;

So make thee pure, if thou wouldst see God's face.

From THE INNER LIFE.

MARRIAGE SONG.

'THEY have no more wine,' she said,

But they had enough of bread ;
And the well beside the door
Held for thirst a plenteous store :
Yes, enough; but Love divine
Made the water into wine.

When should wine in plenty flow,
But when wanderers homeward go?
And when soul in soul hath found
Rest, in bonds of freedom bound,
He hath said, by act divine,
Water well may turn to wine.

Good is all the feasting then ;
Good the merry words of men ;
Good the laughter and the smiles;
Good the wine that grief beguiles
Crowning good, the Word divine :
Jesus made the water wine.

He beside you, all the years,
Into laughter turn your tears;
In the earthly tones around
Make you hear the heavenly sound-
At your table Love divine

Often makes the water wine.

Earth is heaven in homelier dress;
Hope is unseen joyfulness;
Walking in the heavenly light,
Soon, with eyes of heavenly sight,
You shall know, by vision fine,
Earthly water-heavenly wine.

GEORGE MACDONALD.

HOUSEHOLD DUTIES.

TEACH me, my God and King,
In all things Thee to see;
And what I do in anything
To do it as for Thee.

All may of Thee partake :
Nothing can be so mean,

Which with this tincture, 'for Thy sake,'
Will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine :

Who sweeps a room, as for Thy laws,
Makes that and the action fine.

This is the famous stone

That turneth all to gold:

For that which God doth touch and own

Cannot for less be told.

GEORGE HERBEBT,

QUIET SERVICE.

'Doe the nexte thynge.'

FROM an old English parsonage,
Down by the sea,
There came in the twilight

A message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend,
Deeply engraven,
Hath, as it seems to me,
Teaching for Heaven:
And on through the hours,
The quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration,

'Doe the nexte thynge.'

Many a questioning,

Many a fear,

Many a doubt,

Hath its quieting here: Moment by moment,

Let down from Heaven, Time, opportunity,

Guidance are given : Fear not to-morrows, Child of the King: Trust them with Jesus,

'Doe the nexte thynge.'

Oh, He would have thee,
Daily more free,
Knowing the might

Of thy Royal degree:
Ever in waiting,

Glad for His call, Tranquil in chastening, Trusting through all.

Comings and goings

No turmoil need bring :

His all thy future

'Doe the nexte thynge.'