The servant’s eyes, bewildered, gazed On chariots of fire, On seraphs clad in mails of light, Resistless in their ire; On ranks of angels marshaled close, Where trackless comets run, On silver shields and rainbow wings Outspread before the sun. I saw the Syrian bands ere noon Led captive through the land, And longed to grasp the prophet’s robe Within my feeble hand, While my whole soul went out in deep And passionate appeal, That faith like his might set within My babes’ pure hearts its seal. ----- [13] 2 Kings, 6th chapter, 14-18 verses. * * * * * THE FIRST AGE. By H. DIDIMUS. (_Continued from page 360._) BOOK THIRD. SECTION I. Again ten circles have passed, and thrice ten circles of the earth about the sun; and the boy who proffered grapes, and the infant folded in a mother’s warm embrace, have grown to manhood. The young earth, like young life, passed through many a change in thrice ten years and ten; and, from its teeming loins sent forth a still increasing multitude to worship the great First Cause. Upon every hill an altar smoked; and knowledge, with power to command the laws to which all matter is subdued, had not wholly passed from among the sons of men. Not yet were cities built, nor language confounded, nor the land parceled out among hostile clans, to be worried and made desolate; but the herd and the chase still supplied the simple wants which luxury has debased. In all the arts of that rude time; to run; to cleave the briny sea, a strong swimmer; to throw the spear; to draw the bow, certain of its mark; to know the signs which divide the day and fix the watches of the night; to call each tree and flower, beast and bird, by the name which Adam gave; the youths were well instructed, and poured a flood of joy into hearts which marked, from year to year, their growth in excellence and in strength. SECTION II.