God in His infinite mercy

Has bid the storm to cease,
And soft to my troubled spirit

He gently whispers "Peace."

THE WORKS OF MAN AND OF NATURE.

The works of man are always incomplete
However much he has of sacred fire,
And always leave us something to desire.
His own ill-judgment, faults, and failings cheat
His care, and in his every work repeat
Themselves: so all in vain doth he aspire
To keep for brush or chisel, pen or lyre,

His inspiration heavenly pure and sweet.
But in the works of Nature we behold
Design and execution truly one :

The sky, the clouds, the mountains, grove and wold,

The snow-flakes, dew-drops, beams of moon and

sun,

The rose, the lily, and anemone,

Are all what she intended them to be.

RED ROSES.

Red roses need not tell us
That they are really red,
Nor even that the perfume
Is fragrant that they shed.

But, when it comes to mortals,
We scarcely ever know
If they are honest Christians,
Unless they tell us so.

Sarah Geraldina Stock.

NEW-YEAR VOICES.

What wilt thou do with the year

That is dawning so fresh and clearDawning in whiteness,

Dawning in brightness—

What wilt thou do with the year?

The world cries: "Give it to me!
I will deck it with flowers for thee,
I will fill it with mirth and glee;
And if that will not suffice,
I will give thee a higher price,
I will crown it with golden days
Of wealth, and honor, and praise,
And fill it with incense sweet,
Ascending round thy feet!"
And the end? "Oh! far away
Is that strange and misty day."

What wilt thou do with the year That is dawning so fresh and clearDawning in whiteness,

Dawning in brightness

What wilt thou do with the year?

The world says: "Give it to me!
I demand it all of thee;

Think not from my claim to flee,

For none can elude my grasp,
Or loosen my steady clasp ;

Thou must go with me all the way,
And my every word obey."

And the end? "Oh! that is naught!
Thou need'st not give it a thought."

What wilt thou do with the year?
A voice comes soft and clear,
Comes in thy sadness,

Comes in thy gladness

What wilt thou do with the year?

The Lord speaks: "Give it to Me!
With My life I ransomed thee,
And I come to set thee free.
My service is constant peace,
And blessing with sure increase,
Joy-springs that never run dry,
And work that will satisfy !"
And the end? "A glorious day
And a crown of life for aye!"

Marianne Farmingbam.

FROM "CONSECRATION HYMN."

"Just as I am," Thine own to be,
Friend of the young, who lovest me;
To consecrate myself to Thee,
O Jesus Christ, I come.

In the glad morning of my day,
My life to give, my vows to pay,
With no reserve and no delay,
With all my heart, I come.

I would live ever in the light,

I would work ever for the right,

I would serve Thee with all my might,
Therefore to Thee I come.

"Just as I am," young, strong, and free,
To be the best that I can be

For truth and righteousness and Thee,
Lord of my life, I come.

3. F. Eichendorf.

O SILENCE DEEP AND STRANGE!

O silence deep and strange!

The earth doth yet in quiet slumber lie, No stir of life, save on yon woodland range, The tall trees bow as if their Lord passed by.

Like to one new-create

I have no memory of grief and care;

Of all the things which vexed my soul of late, I am ashamed in this calm morning air.