And would you know the reason why this is? It is because the Lord desires our love. In every heart he wishes to be _first_. He therefore keeps the secret key Himself, To open _all_ its chambers, and to bless With _perfect_ sympathy and holy peace, Each solitary soul which comes to _Him_. So when we feel this loneliness it is The voice of Jesus saying, "Come to Me;" And every time we are "not understood," It is a call to us to come _again_: For Christ alone can satisfy the soul, And those who walk with him from day to day Can never have a "solitary way." And when beneath some heavy cross you faint, And say, "I cannot bear this load alone," You say the truth. Christ made it purposely So heavy that you must return to Him. The bitter grief, which "no one understands," Conveys a secret message from the King, Entreating you to come to Him _again_. The Man of Sorrows understands it well. In _all_ points tempted He can feel with you. You cannot come too often, or too near; The Son of God is infinite in grace. His presence satisfies the longing soul, And those who walk with Him from day to day Can never have a "solitary way." --_Unidentified._ THE CHILD'S WELCOME INTO HEAVEN. The golden gates were open And heavenly seraphs smiled And with their tuneful harpstrings Welcomed the little child. They shouted "high and holy, A child hath entered in, And safe from all temptation A soul is sealed from sin." They led him through the golden street On to the King of kings, And a glory fell upon him From the rustling of their wings. The Saviour smiled upon him As none on earth had smiled, And Heaven's great glory shone around The little earth-born child. On earth they missed the little one, They sighed and wept and sighed, And wondered if another such As theirs, had ever died. Oh! had they seen through those high gates, The welcome to him given, They never would have wished their child Back from his home in Heaven. --_Unidentified._ "NOW." A night of danger on the sea, Of sleeplessness and fear! Wave after wave comes thundering Against the strong stone pier; Each with a terrible recoil, And a grim and gathering might, As blast on blast comes howling past, Each wild gust wilder than the last, All through that awful night. Well for the ships in harbor now, Which caught the morning tide; With cable out and anchor sure, How peacefully they ride! Well for the barque that came at eve, Though watched with breathless fear; 'Twas sheltered first ere the tempest burst, 'Tis safe inside the pier!