And well may the children weep before you; They are weary, ere they run; They have never seen the sunshine, nor the glory Which is brighter than the sun: They know the grief of men, but not the wisdom; Are bitter with despairing, but not calm-- Are slaves, without the liberty in Christdom-- Are martyrs, by the pang without the palm,-- Are worn, as if with age, yet unretrievingly No dear remembrance keep; Are orphans of the earthly love and heavenly: Let them weep! let them weep! They look up with their pale and sunken faces, And their look is dread to see, For you think you see their angels in their places, With eyes meant for Deity. An ode such as this was not without effect upon the heart of England; nor is the humanity which it imbodies rare in our land. The spirit of trade among us is not wilfully cruel, but it is too devoted to gain--negligent of the claims of youth, when not unkind. Neglected ones in our own streets have too frequent cause to reproach us--neglected ones who are strangers to the blessings of our civilization, and who learn our laws first from their penalties, and become acquainted with the lessons of the prison, not of church or school. They, alas, who might be an honor to their sex, are made to recruit the ranks of shame, and what is the spirit of Herod compared with the world's heart to fallen woman, alike in the wickedness that tempts and the scorn that awaits the fall. And not solely among the neglected of the earth does the spirit of the world lie in wait for childhood and youth. We might speak of the indulgence that pampers and vainly ruins the soul--of the kindness that kills those whom it aims to bless--of the neglect of health, natural and spiritual laws, which luxury introduces into modes of home education--of the want of a firm discipline that is kindest when firmest--of a practical infidelity that robs childhood of its sacred birthright, by robbing it of trust in God and the eternal life. Herod rages truly in the passions and the policy of the world. * * * * * But not unchecked! Christianity with its great maternal heart is true to her watch, and calling helpers to her side. Let us acknowledge it. The great work of Christians now, is with the young. The work is two-fold, one of growth and of conquest, one that would rear up the offspring of faith within the divine kingdom, and one which would visit the neglected and reclaim them from the enemies' power.