DARKNESS.

I'm glad it is not always light,
And that the day with garment bright,
Gently leaves us, as the night

Falls in beauty o'er us.

If evening shadows never came,
And darkness had not yet a name,
And all things round us looked the same,
Shining still before us,

The fairest and the loveliest sky,
Our wedried eyes would never see;
The stars in their bright harmony,

Still their high watch keeping;

Nor the sweet moon, whose silver beams
Are lighting forests, hills and streams,
And even brightening our dreams,
All the while we 're sleeping.

Darkness revealeth wondrous things,
And with her awe and thought she brings,
As she her mantle o'er us flings,
Like a curtain closing.

Darkness! thy coming shall be dear,

Thy gloomy hue I will not fear,
But of thy uses love to hear,

Beneath thy shade reposing.

THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.

I always wish the sun to shine,
The day be fair and clear,
And not a cloud to stain the sky,
Or dim the atmosphere.

I love to have it silent too,

Without a sound or voice,

Save notes of praise from little birds,
That carol and rejoice.

Or the low wind among the leaves,
Or a clear running brook,

Or

any other sound that comes From nature's music book.

O holy is this blessed day!
Let not a thought or word
Of sin bedim its purity;
But let us worship God.

PRAYER.

When the morning, fair and bright,
Comes to cheer me with its light,
I will wake and thankfully

Ask a blessing for the day.

When I am wrong, and know I've been
Tempted to the path of sin,

I will kneel, and look to heaven,
And pray to have that sin forgiven.

When I am happy, good and glad,
And nothing comes to make me sad,
I shall love to thank and bless
God, for all my happiness.

When I see the setting sun,

And the starry night comes on,

Father! I will pray to be

Kept and blessed, and loved by Thee.

THE ANGELS.

"O where are the angels, mother? Say, where do their bright forms rest? Like us do they love each other,

Are they always happy and blessed ?"

This said a sweet child one evening,
As he lay in peace on his bed;
And his mother said, "They are hovering,
I hope, round my dear boy's head.

"The angels are ever around us,

To guide, and to keep and to aid; Myriads of spirits surround us,

Whom God in his goodness has made.

"In heaven they worship and praise Him, All clothed in their robes of light, They ever are happy and sinless,

And crowned with a glory bright."