He was only a little fellow Who left his books and his play; At the Saviour’s call, Where there’s room for all, He will never more be in the way.
UNDER THE PINES.
Under the pines, on a summer’s day, I list to a whisper from far away, And, lying low, with my half-closed eyes, Behold the beauty of fairer skies. Some say ’tis the sound of the sighing sea, Whose distant murmer steals over me; Some say ’tis the baby breeze instead, That rocks in the branches overhead; But I know it is neither wave nor breeze, On shining sands and in leafy trees; ’Tis the music sweet of a voice divine, That whispers peace to each pensive pine.
PRAYER.
Pray not for self if thou wouldst be most blest,— The prayers for others are for self the best. Christ is not first if self be first in prayer; He blesses most when we for others care. Forget thyself if thou wouldst Christlike be, Praying for others, some will pray for thee. While self’s own burdens are of prayer a part “Thy kingdom come” is prayed not from the heart. Pray not for light to solve thy problems right, But be thyself to other souls a light. God gave thee mighty strength to help the weak, And yet thy prayers of thine own weakness speak; God gave thee power to comfort and to teach, And lift souls up to heights they strive to reach, And yet thy prayers ascend to His white throne, Pleading for comfort for thyself alone; Thou prayest too for wisdom and release, And hands to draw thee upward into peace, Forgetting that which Christ would have thee know,— Peace comes to those who make peace here below; Forgetting that His arms shall draw thee near Only as thine are held to others here; That wisdom comes to thee each passing hour By teaching others what is in thy power; That comfort comes by thy own word and deed, Which comforts others in the hour of need. If thou wouldst pray for self, ask God to give More power in prayer that other souls may live. To live right is to pray and to believe That Christ will hear, and that “thou shalt receive.” Two gifts are thine, if thou wouldst pray aright,— Peace here below, and Heaven’s eternal light.
OUR BABY.
When baby’s soul is claimed beyond the skies, And little eyes are closed in final sleep; When angels hush our darling’s cooing cries, What words are there to comfort those who weep?