LITTLE LILLIE.

"I HAVE been to school, father, and tried to be good;

And when I came home, as I walked through the wood,

I saw on the tree a most beautiful bird,

And his song was the sweetest that ever I heard.

He looked in my face with his little round eye; I was sorry for that, for I thought he would fly; But he still kept singing the same sweet song, And it made me glad as I walked along.

And, father, the air was so fresh and so sweet, The green grass and moss so soft to my feet, And the ground was so bright with the beautiful flowers,

That I wanted to stay there a great many hours.

But I thought it was wrong any longer to stay, For you told me never to stop by the way;

So I came straight home, and brother and I
Have been to the fields to make his kite fly.

And I worked in my garden, and planted some seeds,

And watered the flowers, and pulled up the weeds;

And I tried to help mother all that I could:

I am sure she will tell you that I have been good."

"I am glad, little Lillie," the father replied,
As he kissed his dear girl, "I'm glad you have
tried

To be a good child; so now come with me,
And sit by my side or climb on my knee;

And I'll tell you why all looked so happy and gay, As you walked home from school through the green wood to-day;

And why the glad song of that beautiful bird Seemed sweeter than any you ever had heard.

The Lord keeps around us, by day and by night, Kind angels to guard us, and lead us aright: When you try to be useful and pleasant and mild, I know that the angels are leading my child.

For the good thoughts and feelings which they will impart,

When you try to do right, will gladden your

heart;

And this is why all looked so happy and gay, As you walked home from school through the green wood to-day."

CHILD'S HYMN.

I THINK, when I read that sweet story of old,
How Jesus came down among men,

When he called little children like lambs to his

fold,

I should like to have been with him then.

I wish that his hand had been placed on my

head;

That his arm had been thrown around me;

That I might have seen his kind looks, when he

said,

"Let the little ones come unto me."