With the face of my sleeping darling
Hugged close to my lonely breast,
I prayed that my neighbor's baby

May not catch heaven's roses all, But that some may crown the forehead Of my loved one as they fall.

And when I draw the stockings
From the little weary feet,

And kiss the rosy dimples

In his limbs, so round and sweet-
I think of the dainty garments
Some little children wear,

And that my God withholds them
From mine, so pure and fair.

May God forgive my envy ;
I know not what I said;
My heart is crushed and troubled-
My neighbor's boy is dead!
I saw the little coffin

As they carried it out to-day-
A mother's heart is breaking
In the mansion over the way.

The light is fair in the window;
The flowers bloom at my door;
My boy is chasing the sunbeams

That dance on the cottage floor.
The roses of health are blooming,
On my darling's cheek to-day,
But the baby is gone from the window
Of the mansion over the way.

WATCH.

"I mile the work of the day is done,

may be in the evening,

And you have time to sit in the twilight
And watch the sinking sun,
While the long, bright day dies slowly
Over the sea,

And the hour grows quiet and holy
With thoughts of me;

• While you hear the village children
Passing along the street,
Among those thronging footsteps
May come the sound of my feet.
Therefore, I tell you: Watch

By the light of the evening star,
When the room is growing dusky
As the clouds afar;

Let the door be on the latch
In your home,

For it may be through the gloaming
I will come.

"It may be when the midnight
Is heavy upon the land,

And the black waves lying dumbly
Along the sand ;

When the moonless night draws close,

And the lights are out in the house;

When the fire burns low and red,

And the watch is ticking loudly

Beside the bed;

Though you sleep, tired out, on your couch, Still your heart must wake and watch

In the dark room,

For it may be that at midnight
I will come.

"It may be in the morning

When the sun is bright and strong, And the dew is glittering sharply Over the little lawn ;

When the waves are laughing loudly

Along the shore,

And the little birds are singing sweetly

About the door;

With the long day's work before you,
You rise up with the sun,

And the neighbors come in to talk a little
Of all that must be done.

But remember that I may be the next

To come in at the door,

To call you from all your busy work
Forevermore.

Whenever the sun shines brightly,
I rise and say:

"Surely it is the shining of His face!"
And look unto the gates of His high place
Beyond the sea;

For I know He is coming shortly

To summon me.

And whenever a shadow falls across the window
Of my room,

Where I am working my appointed task,
I lift my head to watch the door and ask
If He is come;

And the angel answers sweetly
In my home;

"Only a few more shadows,
And He will come."

WHA

MINISTERING.

HAT though your feet are often overweary,
On ceaseless errands sent,

And tired shoulders ache and ache so sorely

'Neath heavy burdens bent!

Be patient, lest the ones whom you are serving
Be soon beyond your care;

Lest the little wayward feet that you are guiding,
Slip past you unaware.

Ah, then, no joy would seem so dear and blessed
As spending months and years

In ceaseless service for the vanished darlings

So vainly mourned with tears,

But while you have your dear ones still around you,

Do not regret your care;

Far easier aching feet and arms and shoulders,

Than aching hearts to bear.

And still beyond your household duties reaching,
Stretch forth a helping hand,

So many stand in need of loving comfort,
All over this wide land;

Perchance some soul you aid to-day, to-morrow
May with the angels sing;

Some one may go straight from your earthly table
To banquet with the King.

AFTER THE DARKNESS-LIGHT.

A

FTER the darkness-light!

Out of the evil-good!

From foulest wrong, upriseth Right-
Sin-cleansed, O Christ, in blood!

What tho' the billows roll?

What tho' the waves sweep o'er?

The tempest, Lord, Thou canst control,
And guide us safe to shore!

O doubting heart, be still!

O fainting soul, be brave!

By devious ways works He His will,
Omnipotent to save!