A woman stood among the flowers fair And ’neath her bridal veil she blushed unseen; She said: “I will,” and breathed a silent prayer And knew not that a shadow fell between. An angel led her from the sacred place And whispered of another’s priceless love; While smiles yet lingered on her happy face The bride’s pure soul had found it’s joy above. A manly figure near an altar stood To consecrate his life to God on high; He thought the future promised every good And knew not that his summons sounded nigh. The Sabbath sunshine bathed his cheek and brow, And Hope deferred, now triumphed from his eyes; While thrilled his soul with an unspoken vow ’Twas called to nobler work in Paradise. When skies are brightest threatening clouds appear, Thro’ deepening shades the welcome sunlight steals; When hearts are happiest sorrows hover near ’Tis well for us that God the future shields. LABOR OF LOVE. He planted a tree, on the old home land, Where the summer sunlight stayed, Tho’ he knew full well he should never stand ’Neath it’s fruit and pleasing shade. He penciled a book, in his life’s last year, When the inspiration came, Tho’ he knew his heart it could never cheer With it’s gold and certain fame. But the leaves of his tree grew, day by day, While it’s fruit the hungry fed; And the fruit of his book will ever stay While it’s leaves are daily read. DO YOUR BEST. Make the best of life to-day— Take what God has given; Do not falter on the way— Each step leads to Heaven. Tho’ the journey may be long, And the way be weary, Make it shorter with a song— Days will seem less dreary. Let the sunshine fill your heart— All it’s shadows hiding; Do your humble little part— Leave to God the guiding. Do not soar to highest things ’Till you have a reason; He will give the soul it’s wings In his own good season. Little robins in the nest— Ere their wings are stronger— Learn too late that it is best To keep patient longer. If you cannot do to-day What you hope and plan, God will show a better way,— Do the best you can. IMMORTALITY. To live and learn, to die and to forget, To be forgotten in the by and by; If this is all, why need we linger yet To do our little part, or even try? But is this all? We learn and we forget, And are forgotten, on this earth below; We live, we die, then, freed from vain regret, We live again, and greater wisdom know. IN THE HALL. In the brilliant hall I waited, ’Mong the merry moving throng; And I thought he was belated, For it seemed I waited long.