HYMNS.

MOTHER'S HYMN.

THERE sitteth a dove so white and fair,
All on the lily spray,

And she listeneth how to Jesus Christ
The little children pray.

Lightly she spreads her friendly wings,
And to heaven's gate hath sped,

And unto the Father in heaven she bears
The prayers which the children have said.

And back she comes from heaven's gate,
And she brings, that dove so mild,

From the Father in heaven, who hears her speak,
A blessing on every child.

Then, children, lift up a pious prayer!

It hears whatever you say;

That heavenly dove so white and fair,

All on the lily spray.

From the Swedish.

THE NEAREST FRIEND.

DEAR JESUS! ever at my side,

How loving must Thou be,

To leave Thy home in heaven, to guard
A little child like me.

Thy beautiful and shining face
I see not, though so near;
The sweetness of Thy soft, low voice
I am too deaf to hear.

I cannot feel Thee touch my hand,
With pressure light and mild,
To check me, as my mother did
When I was but a child.

But I have felt Thee in my thoughts,
Fighting with sin for me;

And when my heart loves God, I know
The sweetness is from Thee.

Yes! when I pray, Thou prayest too,
Thy prayer is all for me;

But when I sleep, Thou sleepest not,
But watchest patiently.

- F. W. Faber.

A MOTHER'S MORNING PRAYER.

Up to me sweet childhood looketh,
Heart, and mind, and soul awake;
Teach me of Thy ways, O Father!
For sweet childhood's sake.

In their young hearts, soft and tender,
Guide my hand good seed to sow,
That its blossoming may praise Thee,
Wheresoe'er they go.

Give to me a cheerful spirit,
That my little flock may see
It is good and pleasant service
To be taught of Thee.

Father, order all my footsteps;
So direct my daily way,

That, in following me, the children
May not go astray.

Let Thy holy counsel lead me;

Let Thy light before me shine That they may not stumble over,

Word or deed of mine.

Draw us hand in hand to Jesus,

;

For His word's sake, unforgot,

"Let the little ones come to me, And forbid them not."

HYMN OF A CHILD.

LOVING JESUS, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child!

Make me gentle as Thou art,
Come and live within my heart.

Take my childish hand in thine,
Guide these little feet of mine.

So shall all my happy days

Sing their pleasant song of praise;

And the world shall always see

Christ, the holy Child, in me!

Abridged from C. Wesley.

AN EVENING PRAYER.

BEFORE I close my eyes in sleep,
Lord, hear my evening prayer,
And deign a helpless child to keep
With Thy protecting care.

Though young in years, I have been taught

Thy name to love and fear;

Of Thee to think with solemn thought,
Thy goodness to revere.

That goodness gives each simple flower
Its scent and beauty too,

And feeds it in night's darkest hour
With heaven's refreshing dew.

Nor will Thy mercy less delight

The infant's God to be,

Who, through the darkness of the night,

For safety trusts to Thee.

The little birds that sing all day

In many a leafy wood,

By Thee are clothed with plumage gay,

By Thee supplied with food.

And when at night they cease to sing,

By Thee protected still,

Their young ones sleep beneath their wing

Secure from every ill.

Thus may'st Thou guard with gracious arm

The bed whereon I lie,

And keep a child from every harm

By Thy all-watchful eye.