THE ROOM OF THE HOUSEHOLD.

69

For the first beams of morning are all that dare

peep

Through the windows, where myrtle and eglantine

creep.

Happy faces assemble, with cheerful salute,

When the summer meal tempts with its cream and its fruit;

But the board's not so merry, the meal's not so sweet,

If 'tis out of the room of the household we meet.

And that room is the one that is sought by us still, When the night-clouds of winter bring darkness and chill;

When the ramblers return from their toil or their play,

And tell o'er the news and the deeds of the day;
When the favoured old dog takes his place on the
rug,

Curled up in the fire-light-all warmly and snug;
While the master sits nodding before the bright

flame,

Till the hound snores aloud, and the Squire does the same.

I have wandered far off over "moorland and lea,'

70

THE ROOM OF THE HOUSEHOLD.

O'er the fairest of earth, and the bluest of sea;

It was health that I sought; but, alas! I could find

The pursuit was in vain while my heart looked be

hind:

The room of the household had bound with a spell, And I knew not till then that I loved it so well. "Take me back

my cry,

that room," was my prayer and

"Or my languishing spirit will sicken and die."

There was light in my eye, when I saw the green woof

Of old elm trees, half screening the turreted roof; I grew strong as I passed o'er the daisy-girt track, And the Newfoundland sentinel welcomed me back; But the pulse of my joy was most warmly sincere When I met the old faces, familiar and dear; When I lounged in the "household room," taking my rest,

With a tinge on my cheek, and content in my breast.

The Lord will Provide.

BY JOHN NEWTON.

THOUGH troubles assail, and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite
Yet one thing secures us,-whatever betide,
The Scripture assures us the Lord will provide.

The birds without barn or storehouse are fed,-
From them let us learn to trust for our bread;
Hisaints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied,
So long as 'tis written, The Lord will provide.

We may, like the ships, by tempests be tossed
On perilous deeps, but cannot be lost;
Though Satan enrages the wind and the tide,
This promise engages, the Lord will provide.

His call we obey, like Abram of old,
Not knowing our way, but faith makes us bold;
For though we are strangers, we have a true
guide,

And trust, in all dangers, the Lord will provide.

72

THE LORD WILL PROVIDE.

When Satan appears to stop up our path,
And fill us with fears, we triumph by faith;

He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried, This heart-cheering promise, the Lord will provide.

He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain ;
The good that we seek, we ne'er shall obtain ;
But when such suggestions our spirits have plied,
This answers all questions, the Lord will provide.

No strength of our own, or goodness, we claim; Yet, since we have known the Saviour's great

name,

In this our strong tower for safety we hide: The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide.

When life sinks apace, and death is in view, This word of his grace will carry us through; No fearing or doubting with CHRIST on our side,We hope to die trusting the Lord will provide.

Che Village Blacksmith.

BY LONGFELLOW.

UNDER a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

His hair is crisp, and black, and long;

His face is like the tan;

His brow is wet with honest sweat;

He earns whate'er he can;

And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.

Week in, week out, from morn till night,
You can hear him his bellows blow;
You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,
With measured beat, and slow,

Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When the evening sun is low.