A WORLD OF LOVE AT HOME.
The earth hath treasures fair and bright,
Deep buried in her caves,
And ocean hideth many a gem
With his blue, curling waves;
Yet not within her bosom dark,
Or ’neath the dashing foam,
Lives there a treasure equaling
A world of love at home!
True, sterling happiness and joy
Are not with gold allied,
Nor can it yield a pleasure like
A merry fireside.
I envy not the man who dwells
In stately hall or dome,
If, ’mid his splendor, he hath not
A world of love at home.
The friends whom time hath proved sincere,
’Tis they alone can bring
A sure relief to hearts that droop
’Neath sorrow’s heavy wing.
Though care and trouble may be mine,
As down life’s path I roam,
I’ll heed them not while still I have
A world of love at home.
I MUST HASTEN HOME.
I must hasten home, said a rosy child,
Who had gayly roamed for hours;
I must hasten home to my mother dear—
She will seek me amid the bowers.
If she chides, I will seal her lips with a kiss,
And offer her all my flowers.
I must hasten home, said a beggar girl,
As she carried the pitiful store
Of crumbs and scraps of crusted bread,
She had gathered from door to door;
I must hasten home to my mother dear—
She is feeble, and old, and poor!
I must hasten home, said the ball-room belle,
As day began to dawn;
And the glittering jewels her dark hair decked,
Shone bright as the dews of morn;
I’ll forsake the joys of this changing world,
Which leave in the heart but a thorn.
I must hasten home, said a dying youth,
Who had vainly sought for fame—
Who had vowed to win a laurel wreath,
And immortalize his name;
But, a stranger, he died on a foreign shore—
All the hopes he had cherished were vain.
I am hastening home, said an aged man,
As he gazed on the grassy sod,
Where oft, ere age had silvered his hairs,
His feet had lightly trod;
Farewell! farewell to this lovely earth—
I am hastening home to God!
THE EVENING PRAYER.
With meek and simple faith,
A child’s confiding love,
The infant cherub kneels to breathe
His prayer to God above.
And all the host of heaven is there,
To listen to that infant prayer.
"God, bring dear father home,
God, make dear mother well,
God, make me good, and let us come
All in Thy house to dwell."
Then, while their watch good angels keep,
"God giveth His beloved sleep."