And the bitter lesson We learn from years.

The stars are gleaming

Upon her brow⚫ What is she dreaming

So calmly now?

By her side is the Angel
With folded wings;
She smiles in her slumber
The while he sings.
He sings of a Bridal,

Of Love divine;
Of a heart to be laid

On a sacred shrine; Of a crown of glory,

Where seraphs shine; Of the deep, long rapture The chosen know Who forsake for Heaven

Vain joys below, Who desire no pleasure, And fear no woe.

The Bells are ringing,

The sun shines clear, The Choir is singing,

The guests are here. Before the High Altar Behold the Bride; And a mournful Angel Is by her side.

She smiles, all content

With her chosen lot, (Is her last night's dreaming So soon forgot?) And oh, may the Angel

Forsake her not!

For on her small hand

There glitters plain

The first sad link

Of a life-long chain;· And she needs his guiding Through paths of pain.

THE ANGEL'S BIDDING.

NOT a sound is heard in the Convent;

The Vesper Chant is sung, The sick have all been tended, The poor nun's toils are ended Till the Matin bell has rung. All is still, save the Clock, that is ticking

So loud in the frosty air, And the soft snow, falling as gently

As an answer to a prayer.

But an Angel whispers, "O Sister,

You must rise from your

And he thinks of his home and his loved ones

With the tenderness of despair;

He has wandered for hours in the snow-drift,

And he strives to stand in

vain,

And so lies down to dream of his children,

And never to rise again.

Then kneel in the silent chapel

Till the dawn of to-morrow's sun,

And ask of the Lord you worship

For the life of that desolate one;

And the smiling eyes of his children

Will gladden his heart
again,

And the grateful tears of
God's poor ones
Will fall on your soul like
rain !

"Yet, leave him alone to perish, And the grace of your God

implore, With all the strength of your spirit,

For one who needs it more. Far away, in the gleaming city, Amid perfume, and song, and light,

A soul that Jesus has ransomed

Is in peril of sin to-night.