How we, poor players on life's little stage, Thrust blindly at each other in our rage, Quarrel and fret, yet rashly dare to pray To God to keep us on our selfish way. We think to move him with our prayer and praise To serve our needs, as in the old Greek days Their gods came down and mingled in the fight With mightier arms the flying foe to smite. The laughter of those gods pealed down to man; For heaven was but earth's upper story then, Where goddesses about an apple strove And the high gods fell humanly in love. _We_ own a God whose presence fills the sky; Whose sleepless eyes behold the worlds roll by; Whose faithful memory numbers, one by one, The sons of man, and calls them each his son. --Louise Chandler Moulton. To make rough places plain, and crooked straight; To help the weak; to envy not the strong; To make the earth a sweeter dwelling place, In little ways, or if we may, in great, And in the world to help the heavenly song, We pray, Lord Jesus, grant to us thy grace! THE TWO RELIGIONS A woman sat by a hearthside place Reading a book, with a pleasant face, Till a child came up, with a childish frown, And pushed the book, saying, "Put it down." Then the mother, slapping his curly head, Said, "Troublesome child, go off to bed; A great deal of Christ's life I must know To train you up as a child should go." And the child went off to bed to cry, And denounce religion--by and by. Another woman bent over a book With a smile of joy and an intent look, Till a child came up and jogged her knee, And said of the book, "Put it down--take me." Then the mother sighed as she stroked his head, Saying softly, "I never shall get it read: But I'll try by loving to learn His will, And his love into my child instill." That child went to bed without a sigh, And will love religion--by and by. A LIFE HID WITH CHRIST I have a life with Christ to live; But ere I live it must I wait Till learning can clear answer give Of this or that book's date? I have a life in Christ to live, I have a death in Christ to die; And must I wait till science give All doubts a full reply? Nay, rather, while the sea of doubt Is raging wildly round about, Questioning of life and death and sin, Let me but creep within Thy fold, O Christ, and at thy feet Take but the lowest seat, And hear thine awful voice repeat In gentlest accents, heavenly sweet, "Come unto me and rest; Believe me, and be blest." --John Campbell Shairp. Still raise for good the supplicating voice, But leave to Heaven the measure and the choice. --Dr. Samuel Johnson. PRAY ALWAYS