The next who came to this mortal sphere.
We meet not oft- the last was where
Two hearts were pledged with vow and prayer;
I tarried not long, I might not stay
When light and hope were passing away!
How long dost thou thy vigil keep,

With hearts that mourn, and eyes that weep?

Love.

I staid till the last, low prayer was said,
And the living stood by the silent dead;
And our sister Peace, who cometh now,
With her soft, bright eye, and holy brow,
I left her there by the mourner's side,
To soothe the heart so sorely tried.

Sweet sister, O say, hast thou found a home?
Has the world a spot thou canst call thy own?

Peace.

Sisters, we met at the infant's bed,
O'er his rosy sleep my spirit I shed,

And left ye there—and to manhood turned, -
His cheek was flushed, and his forehead burned
Too much of earthly passion was there,
And I turned where a maiden knelt in prayer,
And I dwelt with her till her spirit fled,
And the mortal frame lay still and dead.
But 't was not my home; and, sisters sweet,
I pined for a spot where we all might meet.

Love and Joy.

Long time we stood by that infant's bed,
O'er his rosy path our spirits shed,
And scattered flowers around his way,
And taught his little hands to play.
We watched him well, till manhood came,
And with it ardent hopes of fame;
Till his soul grew sick in his weary way,
Till his heart almost forgot to pray.
We left him then with his empty name,
For Love and Joy dwell not with fame!

Long-suffering.

Hail, sisters sweet! we meet once more;

Have ye found a home are your wanderings o'er?
For I fain would rest; -I come from a scene,
Where, my sisters sweet, ye all have been;
A close, a darkened, a stifled room,

Where sorrow and sickness have found a home.
There's an aching brow, there's a breaking heart,
There's a soul that longs from earth to part,
Still bearing on, as it ever hast,

Through all the woes of the bitter past,
And murmuring not, but in deepest trust
Awaiting the mandate, "dust to dust!"
Twin sisters sweet! I left ye there,
Has he met his God with trustful prayer?

Gentleness and Goodness.

He waiteth the summons;
And calmly he lies,

As lieth the clouds

In the sunset skies;
And calmly as sinketh

The sun to his rest,

So sinketh he now

On his master's breast.
We have smoothed his pillow,

And cheered his heart;

And taken from death

The bitterest smart.

We left him with Faith,

And she cometh now,

With her beaming eye
And her glorious brow.
Faith.

He has gone to his God, -triumphant he passed!
Undimmed is his glory, — high trust to the last.
I stood by his side till the last look was given;
I stood by his side till his soul was in heaven.
Why meet we here? Can we find no home?
Hath the earth no place we can call our own?
Hath the world no spot where we all may dwell,
And know not, and fear not, a sad farewell?

Say, sister meek, what tale dost thou bring,

Through what scenes hast thou passed, with thy gentle wing?

But sister, sweet sister! I've met thee oft,-
Thy voice is so low, and thy tone so soft,
Thou art loved by all, and the glad and gay
Both welcome thy coming, and urge thy stay.
But the last of our sister band is nigh,
With her glad, free step, and joyous eye,
As if she had brought whole realms at her feet,-
Say, what are thy tidings, sister sweet?

Temperance.

Sisters, all hail! and I am the last?

O'er all the world has my spirit passed.

The work has begun - the mighty, the strong,
And nations have blessed it; and loud is the song

Which swells o'er the earth. The wicked hath turned
From his wayward path, and the heart that spurned
At all that is good, is a suppliant now,

And low at the feet of a Saviour must bow.
Do we meet to rejoice? O there is deep joy
Where the mother weeps o'er her penitent boy!
Do we meet to mourn o'er the sins of earth?
Then gird on our armor, and go we forth,
To soften the hearts of mankind by our power,
For high is our gift, and glorious our dower;-
But which of our band, O say, can tell

Where again we shall meet, and say not farewell?
Faith.

If we all meet again,

On the earth, ne'er to part,

Sweet sisters, 't will be

In the Christian's heart.

But the home of our spirit
On earth is not given;
It is with our God,

Mid the glories of heaven.

THE FOUR WISHES.

ANONYMOUS.

First Voice.

I would shine in diamonds, in colored gems be drest;
The rainbow for my mantle, the stars upon my breast,
Feathers, fringes, flowers, and lace, all rich and gay attire,
Should make the humble know their place, and all the world
admire;

And I would lead the ton, by wealth's commanding power;
Thus joy should fill my golden cup till life's last lingering

hour.

Second Voice.

I would be a beauty, and flash my brilliant eye;
My cheeks should opening roses show, my lips a vermeil dye;
My alabaster brow and neck should dazzle all who gazed;
My dimple smiles should win all hearts, where'er my beauty

blazed.

So I would charm the world by my bewitching power;
And thus fill up my cup of bliss, till life's last lingering hour.

Third Voice.

Give me nor wealth nor beauty!—I ask a spirit keen;
A wit that sparkles while it burns, that cuts as soon as seen;
Like a blazing comet, I would trace a bright, portentous path,
And all should worship at my shrine, or tremble at my wrath.
Thus I would sweep the world by wit's subduing power,
And fill my joyous crystal cup, till life's last lingering hour.

Fourth Voice.

These tempting gifts 1 dare not ask,—they blight the soul when given;

Oh! rather grant me a pure heart, which guides us straight to heaven;

A gentle spirit from above, to lead in wisdom's ways,

To make me humble in my youth, and useful all my days.
And if I always rule my life by virtue's holy power,
My cup of bliss will overflow, beyond my latest hour.

ON CURIOSITY.

COMM. SCRIPT.

FOUR BOYS-WILLIAM, LOUIS, JAMES, AND HENRY.

Louis. I've found something! O Bill, you can't guess what it is!

William. What is it? [Turning to James.] James, Louis has found something.

James. What is it? Let me see, won't you ?

Louis. O, I shan't let anybody see it till they guess what it is. [He holds his hand close.]

Wil. Is it money?

James. Is it a knife?

Louis. Guess on, and I'll bow my head when you 're right. Wil. Tell us the first letter !

James. Yes; it is not fair to keep us waiting so.

Louis. Ho! it belongs to me; I needn't tell any one unless I choose to.

James. You'll tell us, won't you?

Louis. I don't know that!

Wil. Then, James, we won't play with him, will we? James. No; and we won't show him anything we get. Father's going to buy me something to-morrow,—it's my birth day.

Wil. What is it, Jim? Let me see it won't you? James. Yes, but Louis shan't, if he don't tell me what he 's found.

Louis. Ho! I don't believe it will be much.

Wil. I guess it will, for his father is able to buy him a great deal, is he not, Jim?

James. Yes, it will be worth, I shan't say how much. Louis. 'Cause you don't know. It will not be worth a pin sight.

Wil. It will, too; come, Louis, let us see it.

James. Poh! I don't believe he has anything.

Louis. I have too! Just see how large my hand is! I can't hardly shut it.

James. Let's get it away from him, Bill, will you?

Louis. I should like to see you try. I can master both of you.

James. O, O, Bill! I've found something too! [Snatches something from the ground.] Look here.

Louis. I don't believe it.

James. I have-have n't I, Bill?