"OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN." 283

"OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN."

O, WHY should children fear,
When sickness dims the eye,
To lie down in the grave,

And innocently die;

Since Jesus Christ his word has given,

That such as these shall enter Heaven?

Then weep not, parents dear,

Because we go above; We leave you here below,

To seek a tenderer love;

For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as WE shall enter Heaven.

Sigh not o'er our pale brows,

Where death has set his seal;
Nor shrink at those chill hands,
That have not power to feel,

For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as we shall enter Heaven.

Let our young playmates come,
And view the grassy mound,
And plant their early flowers

As if 't were happy ground;
For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as THEY shall enter Heaven.

MRS. GILMAN.

284

CHILDREN'S PRAISES.

LITTLE PILGRIMS.

"WHO are they, whose little feet,
Pacing life's dark journey through,
Now have reached that heavenly seat
They had ever kept in view?"
"I from Greenland's frozen land;
"I from India's sultry plain; "
"I from Afric's barren sand;

"I from islands of the main."

All our earthly journey past,
Every tear and pain gone by,
Here together meet at last,

At the portals of the sky;
Each the welcome "Come!" awaits,
Conquerors o'er death and sin!
Lift your heads, ye golden gates!
And let the little travellers in.

J. EDMESTON.

CHILDREN'S PRAISES.

AROUND the throne of God in heaven
Thousands of children stand,
Children whose sins are all forgiven,
A holy, happy band,

Singing, Glory, glory!

CHILDREN'S PRAISES.

In flowing robes of spotless white
See every one arrayed,
Dwelling in everlasting light,
And joys that never fade, —
Singing, Glory, glory!

Once they were little things like you,
And lived on earth below,

And could not praise, as now they do,
The Lord who loved them so,
Singing, Glory, glory!

What brought them to that world above,
That heaven so bright and fair,
Where all is peace, and joy, and love:
How come these children there,-
Singing, Glory, glory?

On earth they sought the Saviour's grace,
On earth they loved his name;

So now they see his blessed face,
And stand before the Lamb,-
Singing, Glory, glory!

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286

THE SICK CHILD.

THE SICK CHILD.

SEND down thy wingéd angel, God!
Amidst this night so wild,

And bid him come where now we watch,
And breathe upon our child!

She lies upon her pillow, pale,
And moans within her sleep,
Or wakeneth with a patient smile,
And striveth not to weep!

How gentle and how good a child
She is, we know too well ;
And dearer to her parents' hearts
Than our weak words can tell.

We love, we watch throughout the night,
To aid, where need may be ;

We hope, and have despaired at times;
But now we turn to Thee!

Send down thy sweet-souled angel, God!
Amidst the darkness wild,

And bid him soothe our souls to-night,

And heal our gentle child!

BARRY CORNWALL.

A MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE.

287

A MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE.

WHAT can a mother's heart repay,
In after years,

For watchful night and weary day
Beside the cradle passed away,

And anxious tears?

To see her dear one tread the earth
In life and health, and childish mirth.

What can a mother's heart repay

For later care,

For words that heavenward point the way,
For counsel against passion's sway,
And earnest prayer?

To watch her little pilgrims press
Along the road to holiness.

This will a mother's heart repay,
If that loved band,

Amidst life's doubtful battle-fray,
By grace sustained, shall often say,
"Next to God's hand,

All of true happiness we know,
Mother, to thy dear self we owe.”

REV. W. CALvert.

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