An' just afore we bed oorsel',

We look at oor wee lambs;

Tam has his airms roun' wee Rab's neck,

An' Rab his airms roun' Tam's.

I lift wee Jamie up the bed,
An', as I straik each croon,
I whisper, till my heart fills up,
"O bairnies, cuddle doon."

The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht,
Wi' mirth that's dear to me;

But sune the big warl's cark an' care
Will quaten doon their glee.

Yet come what will to ilka ane,

May He who sits aboon

Aye whisper, though their pows be bauld,
"O bairnies, cuddle doon."

I THINK WHEN I READ THAT SWEET STORY OF OLD.

JEMIMA LUKE.

I THINK, when I read that sweet story of old,
When Jesus was here among men,

How He called little children as lambs to his fold,
I should like to have been with Him then.

I wish that His hand had been placed on my head, That His arms had been thrown around me,

And that I might have heard His kind voice when

He said,

"Let the little ones come unto me."

Yet still to His foot-stool in prayer I may go,
And ask for a share in His love;
And if I thus earnestly seek Him below,
I shall see Him and hear Him above,

In that beautiful home He has gone to prepare
For all who are washed and forgiven;
And many dear children are gathering there,
For of such is the kingdom of heaven.

TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL.

FROM THE FRENCH OF MME. TASTU. TRANSLATED AND ARRANGED BY THE EDITORS.

WATCH over me while I'm asleep,
And, as God bids you, vigil keep;
And every night above my head
Bend down, dear Angel, o'er the bed.
Have pity on my feebleness,

Walk by my side to guard and bless;
Talk to me all along the way,

And, while I hearken what you say,
Lest I should fall, help me to stand;

I

pray you, Angel, hold my hand!

CRADLE HYMN.

ISAAC WATTS.

HUSH, my dear, lie still and slumber;
Holy angels guard thy bed;
Heavenly blessings without number
Gently falling on thy head.

Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment,
House and home, thy friends provide;
All without thy care, or payment,
All thy wants are well supplied.

Soft and easy is thy cradle;

Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay, When his birthplace was a stable, And his softest bed was hay.

May'st thou live to know and fear him,
Trust and love him all thy days;

Then go dwell forever near him,
See his face and sing his praise.

SHADOW-TOWN FERRY.

LILIAN DYNEVOR RICE.

SWAY to and fro in the twilight gray;

This is the ferry of Shadow-town.

It always sails at the end of day,

Just as the darkness is coming down.

Rest, little head, on my shoulder, so
A sleepy kiss is the only fare;
Drifting away from the world we go,
Baby and I, in the rocking-chair.

See, where the fire-logs glow and spark
Glitter the lights of the shadow-land!
The winter rains on the window-hark! -
Are ripples lapping up its strand.

Rock slow, more slow, in the dusky light,
Silently lower the anchor down;

Dear little passenger, say "Good-night!

We have reached the harbor of Shadow-town.

GOOD-NIGHT.

VICTOR HUGO. TRANSLATED AND ARRANGED BY THE EDITORS.

GOOD-NIGHT! Good-night!

Far flies the light;
But still God's love
Shall flame above,

Making all bright.
Good-night! Good-night!

ANNOUNCEMENTS