Poetical Selections.

THE HOLY CHILD.

By cool Siloam's shady rill

How fair the lily grows!

How sweet the breath, beneath the hill, Of Sharon's dewy rose!

Lo, such the child whose early feet
The paths of peace have trod ;
Whose secret heart, with influence sweet,
Is upward drawn to God!

O Thou, who giv'st us life and breath,
We seek thy grace alone,

In childhood, manhood, age, and death,
To keep us still thine own!

HEBER.

HYPL

"COME UNTO ME."

As children once to Christ were brought,
That he might bless them there,

So now we little children ought
To seek the Lord by prayer.

And as so many years ago
Poor babes his pity drew,
I'm sure he will not let me go
Without a blessing too.

Then while, this favor to implore,
My little hands are spread,
Do thou thy sacred blessing pour,
Dear Jesus, on my head.

HYMNS FOR INFANT MINDS.

SOFTLY, SOFTLY, LITTLE CHILD.

Softly, softly, little child;

Do not wear that angry brow; Do not speak that naughty word; Angel steps are near thee now.

Softly, softly, little child;

Drive thy passions far away,

And thy angel visitants

Close will fold their wings and stay.

Softly, softly, little child;

Drop the penitential tear;
Angels catch it ere it falls-
Bear it up to heaven from here.

Softly, softly, little child,

Are the songs of angels blent: Joyous are the strains above

O'er the child that doth repent.

JULIE LEONARD.

LITTLE SERVANTS.

Oh, what can little hands do
To please the King of heaven?
The little hands some work may try
To help the poor in misery ;-
Such grace to mine be given.

Oh, what can little lips do
To please the King of heaven?

The little lips can praise and pray,
And gentle words of kindness say :-
Such grace to mine be given.

Oh,

what can little eyes do

To please the King of heaven?

The little eyes can upward look,
Can learn to read God's holy book ;-
Such grace to mine be given.

Oh, what can little hearts do

To please the King of heaven?
The hearts, if God his Spirit send,
Can love and trust the children's Friend;-
Such grace to mine be given.

When hearts, eyes, lips and hands unite
To please the King of heaven,
And serve the Saviour with delight,
They are most precious in his sight;-

Such grace to mine be given.

TRACT JOURNAL.

WILLIE AND THE BIRDS.

A little black-eyed boy of five
Thus spake to his mamma:

"Do look at all the pretty birds;

How beautiful they are!

How smooth and glossy are their wings;
How beautiful their hue;
Besides, mamma, I really think
That they are pious, too!"

"Why so, my dear?" the mother said,
And scarce suppressed a smile;
The answer showed a thoughtful head,
A heart quite free from guile :
"Because, when each one bows his head,
His tiny bill to wet,

To lift a thankful glance above
He never does forget:

And so, mamma, it seems to me
That very pious they must be."

Dear child, I would a lesson learn
From this sweet thought of thine,
And heavenward, with a glad heart, turn
These earth-bound eyes of mine;
Perfected praise indeed is given,
By babes below, to God in heaven.

ANON.