Where dawn in light unshadowed The years of God's right hand; Thy welcome home shall be, "Thy deeds of love and mercy Have all been done to me!" LITTLE CORPORAL. IT THE TWO BANNERS OF AMERICA. T makes the blood tingle and the cheeks glow to read how men have gone into battle under the inspiration of the "red, white, and blue." It is enough to make the nation weep for joy, their devotion to the dear old flag; "Old Glory," they call it. I saw a young sergeant in the hospital at Fredericksburg. He was dying there with the "stars and stripes" about him; arms, haversack, canteen, blanket, all were lost; but he had clung to "Old Glory." His lips moved; we stooped to listen. He was making his last charge: "Come on, boys! our country and our flag forever;" and wrapped in stars he went up among the stars. Lift aloft, then, the "star-spangled banner." "For ever float that standard sheet." Unfurl it to the breeze that every zephyr may kiss the sacred folds, red with the blood of God's heroes, white with God's jus tice, and blue with heaven's own azure. Bear it onward and onward, O braves of a free people, until over the whole vast extent of liberty's soil shall again be seen the gorgeous ensign of the Republic, once more full high advanced." 66 I believe that God has made this whole land a cradle of liberty; and is rocking, rocking it to and fro, to and fro, with omnipotent arms; and as the nations hear the thunder of that rocking, we pray God that it may never cease until liberty shall need rocking no more in her cradle, but shall stand up, fair and young and strong, true liberty, liberty for the body and liberty for the soul, and shall walk as a queen through the land, the daughter of our Christianity, nursling of God and America. Yet above the banner of the Constitution, above the banners of the American soldiers and sailors, above even the “stars and stripes,” high over all, let us raise the banner of the cross, that we and the world may read its sacred motto: "Immanuel—God with us.” And then, with the mystic cords of memory stretching from every battle-field and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone over all this broad land, swelling again the chorus of the Union, we shall go on, giving light to the nations and liberty to man and honor to God. REV. HERRICK JOHNSON. THE WOMAN HEALED. THE throng was great. Back from the Gaderenes Who would have none of Him, the Christ had come Unto His own again. With what great joy They welcomed His return! How eagerly They pressed around His blessed form, sick ones Among that crowd A trembling woman stands, irresolute. Back in her mountain home the tidings came, Up from her bed of weary pain, The Healer. Can she tell Him all e'en now? She cannot turn away! I will but touch But hark! He speaks! "Who touched me?" she can hear the Master say. Affrighted lest she may have done amiss. (And yet she dare not but confess her guilt, Did He rebuke her boldness? Does He now And love, He says, "Thy faith hath made thee whole!" REMEMBER BOYS MAKE MEN. WHEN you see a ragged urchin Standing wistful in the street, With torn hat and kneeless trousers, He's grown he'll not forget it; When the buoyant youthful spirits Plants will grow and bear good fruitage When the erring boys are men. Have you never seen a grandsire, With his eyes aglow with joy, Bring to mind some act of kindness Something said to him, a boy? Or relate some slight or coldness, With a brow all clouded, when He said they were too thoughtless To remember boys make men? Let us try to add some pleasure For each child needs tender interest Call your boys home by its brightness; And seek for comfort elsewhere; And remember, boys make men. MARY E. TUCKER. 0 A SONG OF PRAISE. SING unto the Lord a new song: Sing unto the Lord all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; Show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, And greatly to be praised: |