Year after year beheld the silent toil That spread his lustrous coil; Still, as the spiral grew, He left the last year's dwelling for the new, Stole with soft step its shining archway through, Built up its idle door, Stretched in its last-found home, and knew the old no more. Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee, Child of the wandering sea, Cast from her lap, forlorn! From thy dead lips a clearer note is born Than ever Triton blew from wreathed horn; While on my ear it rings, Through the deep caves of thought I hear a voice that sings: Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul! As the swift seasons roll! Leave thy low-vaulted past! Let each new temple, nobler than the last, Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast Till thou at length art free, Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea! --Oliver Wendell Holmes. WALKING WITH JESUS My Saviour, on the Word of Truth In earnest hope I live, I ask for all the precious things Thy boundless love can give. I look for many a lesser light About my path to shine; But chiefly long to walk with thee, And only trust in thine. Thou knowest that I am not blest As Thou would'st have me be Till all the peace and joy of faith Possess my soul in thee; And still I seek 'mid many fears, With yearnings unexpressed, The comfort of thy strengthening love, Thy soothing, settling rest. It is not as Thou wilt with me Till, humbled in the dust, I know no place in all my heart Wherein to put my trust: Until I find, O Lord! in thee-- The lowly and the meek-- That fullness which thy own redeemed Go nowhere else to seek. Then, O my Saviour! on my soul, Cast down but not dismayed, Still be thy chastening healing hand In tender mercy laid: And while I wait for all thy joys My yearning heart to fill, Teach me to walk and work with thee, And at thy feet sit still. --Anna Letitia Waring. A PRAYER TO THE GOD OF NATURE God of the roadside weed, Grant I may humbly serve the humblest need. God of the scarlet rose, Give me the beauty that Thy love bestows. God of the hairy bee, Help me to suck deep joys from all I see. God of the spider's lace, Let me, from mine own heart, unwind such grace. God of the lily's cup, Fill me! I hold this empty chalice up. God of the sea-gull's wing, Bear me above each dark and turbulent thing. God of the watchful owl, Help me to see at midnight, like this fowl. God of the antelope, Teach me to scale the highest crags of Hope. God of the eagle's nest, Oh, let me make my eyrie near thy breast! God of the burrowing mole, Let cold earth have no terrors for my soul.