Here I come creeping, creeping everywhere;
When you're numbered with the dead
In your still and narrow bed,
In the happy Spring I'll come

And deck your silent home-
Creeping, silently creeping everywhere.

Here I come creeping, creeping everywhere;
My humble song of praise
Most joyfully I raise

To Him at whose command
I beautify the land,—

Creeping, silently creeping everywhere.

Sarah Roberts.

"MY FATHER'S AT THE HELM."

46

"TWAS when the sea, with awful roar,

A little bark assailed,

And pallid fear's distracted power
O'er each on board prevailed-

Save one the captain's darling child,
Who steadfast viewed the storm,
And cheerful with composure smiled
At danger's threatening form.

Why sporting thus," a seaman cried,
"While terrors overwhelm ?"

"Why yield to fear?" the child replied,
"My Father's at the helm!"

Christian! from Him be daily taught
To check thy groundless fear;
Think on the wonders He has wrought:
Jehovah's ever near.

THE CRICKET.

LITTLE inmate, full of mirth,
Chirping on my kitchen hearth,
Wheresoe'er be thine abode,
Always harbinger of good;
Pay me for thy warm retreat
With a song more soft and sweet;
In return thou shalt receive

Such a strain as I can give.

Thus, thy praise shall be express'd,
Inoffensive, welcome guest!
While the rat is on the scout,
And the mouse with curious snout,
With what vermin else infest
Every dish, and spoil the best,
Frisking thus before the fire,
Thou hast all thine heart's desire.

Though in voice and shape they be
Formed as if akin to thee,
Thou surpassest, happier far,
Happiest grasshoppers that are.
Theirs is but a Summer's song,
Thine endures the Winter long,
Unimpaired, and shrill, and clear,
Melody throughout the year.

Neither light nor dawn of day
Puts a period to thy play;

Sing, then, and extend thy span

Far beyond the date of man;

Wretched man! whose years are spent

In repining discontent,

Lives not, aged though he be,

Half a span, compared with thee.-Cowper.

THE LITTLE SHIP ON THE WAVES.

A LITTLE ship was on the sea,
It was a pretty sight;

It sailed along so pleasantly,

And all was calm and bright.

The sun was sinking in the west,
The shore was near at hand;
And those on board, with hearts at rest,
Thought soon to reach the land.

When lo! a storm began to rise,
The wind grew loud and strong;
It blew the clouds across the skies,
It blew the waves along.

Oh! how that little ship was tossed;
It filled with water fast;

It seemed as though it would be lost,
And must go down at last!

And all, but One, were sore afraid
Of sinking in the deep;
His head was on a pillow laid,
And He was fast asleep.

"Master! we perish-Master! save,"
They cried, their master heard;
He rose, rebuked the wind and wave,
And stilled them with a word.

He to the storm says, "Peace-be still,"
The raging billows cease;
The mighty winds obey His will,

And all are hushed to peace.

They greatly wondered! so may we,
And ask, as well as they,
Who could this glorious Person be
Whom winds and seas obey?

Oh! well we know it was the Lord,

Our Saviour and our Friend;

Whose care of those who trust His word

Will never, never end.

D. A. T.

THE ACORN.

SMALL beginnings we should not despise :
In the ground if this acorn be laid,

A majestic oak will arise,

And cover the field with its shade.

While its roots will strike deep in the ground,
Wide branches will compass its form

With green shining foliage around,

To protect from the wind and the storm.

Here the efforts of time you may see,
And the wonders of nature adore,
When you know this magnificent tree
Was but a small acorn before.

You tell me 'tis little you know,
Complain that your lesson is hard;
And why you such pains should bestow,
And when you shall reap your reward?

If the oak from an acorn could rise,
The future keep always in view;
And if such improvement you prize,
Time will do the same office by you.

THE PREVENTION OF STRIFE.

WHAT mean these looks and words of hate?
Leave off these signs of war :
Come, let us stop this sharp debate
Ere it be gone too far.

A little cloud, scarce seen at first,
Has often grown, and led

To heavy tempests, which have burst
Upon a nation's head.

So quarrels, where there should be peace,
Though small when they begin,
How rapidly do they increase,

And lead us into sin!

Yes, when the bitter speeches flow
And anger has its way,

Sin comes with its companion, woe,
And Satan gains the day.

Subdue in time this temper high,

And study to obtain

The power to check a fierce reply,
And passion to restrain.

Look well to whom we all belong ;

Christ's bright example see; think you you

Then should

suffer wrong,

How light that wrong would be!

Seek, too, the Holy Spirit's grace,

His aid in prayer implore;

Unseemly wrath shall then have place

Within your heart no more.

Rev. T. B. Murray.