And the angel answers sweetly In my home,-- "Only a few more shadows, And He will come." --_Unidentified_. THE JOY OF ASSURANCE. It is too calm to be a dream, Too gravely sweet, too full of power, Prayer changed to praise this very hour! Yes, heard and answered! though it seem Beyond the hope of yesterday, Beyond the faith that dared to pray, Yet not beyond the love that heard, And not beyond the faithful word On which each trembling prayer may rest, And win the answer truly best. Yes, heard and answered! sought and found! I breathe a golden atmosphere Of solemn joy, and seem to hear Within, above, and all around, The chime of deep cathedral bells, An early herald peal that tells A glorious Easter tide begun; While yet are sparkling in the sun Large rain drops of the night storm passed, And days of Lent are gone at last. --_Frances Ridley Havergal_. "HOW WONDERFUL!" He answered all my prayer abundantly, And crowned the work that to _His_ feet I brought, With blessing more than I had asked or thought-- A blessing undisguised, and fair, and free. I stood amazed, and whispered, "Can it be That He hath granted all the boon I sought? How wonderful that He for me hath wrought! How wonderful that He hath answered me!" O faithless heart! He _said_ that He would hear And answer thy poor prayer, and He _hath_ heard And proved His promise. Wherefore didst thou fear? Why marvel that thy Lord hath kept His word? More wonderful if He should fail to bless Expectant faith and prayer with good success! --_Frances Ridley Havergal._ THY WAY, NOT MINE. Thy way, not mine, O Lord, However dark it be! Lead me by Thine own hand, Choose out the path for me. Smooth let it be or rough, It will be still the best, Winding or straight, it matters not, It leads me to Thy rest. I dare not choose my lot: I would not, if I might; Choose Thou for me, my God, So shall I walk aright. The kingdom that I seek Is Thine: so let the way That leads to it be Thine, Else I must surely stray. Take Thou my cup, and it With joy or sorrow fill, As best to Thee may seem; Choose Thou my good and ill. Choose Thou for me my friends, My sickness or my health, Choose Thou my cares for me, My poverty or wealth. Not mine, not mine the choice, In things or great or small; Be Thou my guide, my strength, My wisdom, and my all. --_Horatius Bonar_. A CHILD'S FIRST IMPRESSION OF A STAR.