Far heavier its weight must surely be
Than those of others which I daily see.
Oh! if I might another burden choose,
Methinks I should not fear my crown to lose.

A solemn silence reigned on all around-
E'en Nature's voices uttered not a sound;
The evening shadows' seemed of peace to tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.

A moment's pause-and then a heavenly light
Beamed full upon my wondering, raptured sight;
Angels on silvery wings seemed everywhere,
And angels' music thrilled the balmy air.

Then One, more fair than all the rest to see-
One to whom all the others bowed the knee-
Came gently to me as I trembling lay,
And "Follow me!" He said; "I am the Way."

Then, speaking thus, He led me far above,
And there, beneath the canopy of love,
Crosses of divers shape and size were seen,
Larger and smaller than my own had been.

And one there was, most beauteous to behold, A little one with jewels set in gold.

Ah! this, me thought, I can with comfort wear, For it will be an easy one to bear:

And so the little cross I quickly took,

But, all at once, my frame beneath it shook;

The sparkling jewels fair were they to see,
But far too heavy was their weight for me.

"This may not be," I cried, and looked again,

To see if there was any here could ease my pain;
But, one by one, I passed them slowly by,
Till on a lovely one I cast my eye.

Fair flowers around its sculptured form entwined,
And grace and beauty seemed in it combined
Wondering, I gazed, and still I wondered more
To think so many should have passed it o'er.

But oh! that form so beautiful to see
Soon made its hidden sorrows known to me;
Thorns lay beneath those flowers and colors fair;
Sorrowing, I said: "This cross I may not bear."

And so it was with each and all around,

Not one to suit my need could there be found;
Weeping, I laid each heavy burden down,
As my Guide gently said: "No cross,--no crown."

At length, to Him I raised my saddened heart;
He knew its sorrows, bid its doubts depart.
"Be not afraid," He said, "but trust in me—
My perfect love shall now be shown to thee."

And then with lightened eyes and willing feet,
Again I turned, my earthly cross to meet,

With forward footsteps, turning not aside,
For fear some hidden evil might betide;

And there in the prepared, appointed way,
Listening to hear, and ready to obey-
A cross I quickly found of plainest form,
With only words of love inscribed thereon.

With thankfulness I raised it from the rest,
And joyfully acknowledged it the best-
The only one of all the many there

That I could feel was good for me to bear.

And, while I thus my chosen one confess'd
I saw a heavenly brightness on it rest;
And, as I bent, my burden to sustain,
I recognized my own old cross again.

But oh! how different did it seem to be,
Now I had learned its preciousness to see!
No longer could I unbelieving say,
Perhaps another is the better way.

Ah, no! henceforth my own desire shall be,

That He who knows me best should choose for me,

And so, whate'er His love sees good to send,

I'll trust it's best, because he knows the end.

Patience.

ERE there no night we could not read the stars, The heavens would turn into a blinding glare; Freedom is best seen through the prison-bars, And rough seas make the haven passing fair.

We can not measure joys but by their loss,
When blessings fade away we see them then
Our richest clusters grow around the cross,

And in the night-time angels sing to men.

The seed must first lie buried deep in earth,
Before the lily opens to the sky;

So "light is sown," and gladness has its birth
In the dark deeps where we can only cry.

"Life out of death" is Heaven's unwritten law,
Nay, it is written in a myriad forms;
The victor's palm grows on the fields of war,
And strength and beauty are the fruit of storms.

Come, then, my soul, be brave to do and bear;

Thy life is bruised that it may be more sweet; The cross will soon be left, the crown we'll wearNay, we will cast it at our Savior's feet.

And up among the glories never told,

Sweeter than music of the marriage-bell,

Our hands will strike the vibrant harp of gold

To the glad song, "He doeth all things well."

"Rock of Ages."

Seldom have we read a sweeter illustration of the thoughtless and experimental way of singing this precious hymn than that which is embodied in the following anonymous verse:

"R

OCK of Ages, cleft for me,"

Thoughtlessly the maiden sung,

Fell the words unconsciously,
From her girlish, gleeful tongue

Sang as little children sing;

Sang as sing the birds in June;
Fell the words like light leaves down
On the current of the tune-

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee."

Felt her soul no need to hide;
Sweet the song as song could be-

And she had no thought beside;
All the words unheedingly

Fell from lips untouched by care,
Dreaming not they each might be
On some other lips a prayer—