Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom Lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home-- Lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see The distant scene--one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that Thou Shouldst lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path, but now Lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will: remember not past years. So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still Will lead me on, O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till The night is gone; And with the morn those angel faces smile Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. --CARDINAL NEWMAN. PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him: and having wounded him went away leaving him half dead. And it chanced that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him: and seeing him was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him: and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I at my return will repay thee. Which of these three in thy opinion was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers? --_Luke_ x. 30-36. [Illustration: _Painting by Plockhorst_ THE GOOD SAMARITAN] CONNOR MAC-NESSA--AN IRISH LEGEND siege tourney falconry anxious relief anguish tranquil crucify chieftain emerald generous vigorous Loud roared the din of battle, fierce, Bloody and wild, With Ulster men and Connaught men The field was piled. Connor Mac-Nessa, Ulster’s King, In the mad fray Wounded to death and well-nigh spent And dying lay. A Druid came with healing balm Of herb and leaf, He poured it in the gaping wound, To give relief; The wound was healed, “Yet,” said the leech, “Beware, my Liege! Of war’s alarm or battle fray, Sally or siege; “No more o’er mere and fen with thee, Oh! noble king, Brave Knight and Lady fair will strive For bittern’s wing; No more thou’lt ride thy prancing steed After the doe, No more thou’lt tilt at tourney brave ’Gainst gallant foe;