He was her hope in those sad hours Of blight and sure decay; The sin that drove her from her flowers His blood could wash away. COME UNTO ME "Come unto me!" Ah, gentlest word E'er breathed in human ear! "I am thy Savior and thy Lord; Dear child, thou need'st not fear. "Come unto me in sorrow's hour When life seems dark and drear; I'll shield thee from the tempter's power; Dear child, thou need'st not fear. "Come unto me when hopes have flown Like leaves wind-swept and sere, When every joy thou may'st bemoan; Dear child, thou need'st not fear. "Come unto me. I'll give thee rest, Will wipe away each tear; Come lean thy head upon my breast; Dear child, thou need'st not fear." NOVEMBER _But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice._--Psalm 5:11. November is so drear and chill Whilst making leafless branch and tree, Whilst sweeping over vale and hill With all her doleful minstrelsy. November wails the summer's death In such a melancholy voice, She has a withering, blighting breath; She does not bid the heart rejoice. Yet why repine, thou stricken one? Grief is the common fate of all. This the refrain beneath the sun: Mortals must die, and leaves must fall. They'll live again, the leaves and flowers, When spring returns to bless the earth; They'll waken 'neath her sunny hours Through nature's touch to beauteous birth. Hope in decay and do not moan That God has taken one we love: Why should our hearts be turned to stone When he is safe in heaven above? Redeemed through Christ, who was his trust, With him in realms of joy on high; For though down here "'tis dust to dust," The Christian lives beyond the sky. Then in the autumn's woe rejoice,-- Rejoice in calm, rejoice in storm; In either hear God's tender voice, For both his holy will perform. THE TRAVELERS Away from the city, away from the crowd, Two comrades in sorrow traversed hill and dale; The gloom of their hearts did their faces enshroud, And clouds of distress only seemed to prevail. Alone, as they thought; but a stranger unknown Inquired thus kindly the cause of their woe: "Of what are ye talking? Why are ye cast down, So burdened with care, as thus onward ye go?" Cleopas thus answered, "A stranger art thou In Jerusalem, not knowing the things happening there?" "What things?" asked the stranger, desiring now Their lips should disclose what had caused their despair. "Of Jesus of Nazareth, one mighty in deed, A wonderful prophet; him have they slain. To Israel's redemption we hoped he would lead, But why should we hope if hope is in vain?