"Ye shall pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."- Jeremiah

xxix. 12.

GOD is so good that he will hear
Whenever children humbly pray;
He always lends a gracious ear

To what the youngest child can say.

His own most holy book declares,
That, as a tender father will,
He listens to our lowly prayers,
And what we ask will grant us still.

He loves to hear a youthful tongue
Thank him for all his mercies given;
And when on earth his praise is sung
By children's lips, 't is heard in heaven.

54. C. M.

"All things work together for good to them that love God.". viii. 28.

Romans

Now that our journey's just begun,
Our road so little trod,

We'll come, before we further run,
And give ourselves to God.

What sorrows may our steps attend
We never can foretell;

But since we know God is our friend,
We know that all is well.

Father! whatever grief or ill
For us may be in store,
Make us submissive to thy will,
And we will ask no more.

58

55. C. M.

SALISBURY COLL.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth."- Ecclesiastes xii. 1.

Now in the season of thy youth,

In nature's smiling bloom,

Ere age arrive, and, trembling, wait
Its summons to the tomb, -

Remember thy Creator, God;

For him thy powers employ;
Make him thy fear, thy love, thy hope,
Thy confidence, thy joy.

He shall defend and guide thy course
Through life's uncertain sea,
Till thou art landed on the shore
Of blest eternity.

Then seek the Lord betimes, and choose

The path of heavenly truth;

The earth affords no lovelier sight

Than a religious youth.

"When thou saidst, Seek ye my face, my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." - Psalm xxvii. 8.

WHEN children give their hearts to God,

'T is pleasing in his eyes;

A flower, when offered in the bud,

Is no vain sacrifice.

It saves us from unnumbered snares

To mind religion young;

Grace will preserve our following years,
And make our virtue strong.

To thee, Almighty God, to thee
Our childhood we resign;

'T will please us to look back and see
Life's morning all was thine!

Let the sweet work of prayer and praise
Employ our youngest breath;

Thus we 're prepared for longer days,
Or fit for early death.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."- Proverbs ix. 10.

Now in the dawning of my youth,

Thou who createdst me!

Taught by the holy word of truth,
May I remember thee!

May all my coming years be spent
In love and piety;

Thankful for all thy blessings lent,
May I remember thee!

And when at last my parting breath
Shall yield my soul to thee,
My hope and trust in life and death,
Father! remember me!