TO A FRIEND ON HER BIRTHDAY. Он, brightly may the sunbeams shine Upon thy path of life, This day, each year, return to thee With richer blessings rife. May the fair stream of thy young days All peaceful onward glide, While Joy's bright blossoms fondly bend Above its tranquil tide. And, as the gentle stream flows on, Beneath God's sunny sky, And still glides, joyous, on its way, Where'er its course is laid Thus mayst thou, loving and beloved, Thus, blest and blessing, move, While on thy brow, reflected, beam God's peace and Heaven's love. All blessings rest on thee and thine; May He who guides the streamlet's course Be with thee evermore, Through clouds or sunshine lead thee safe To Heaven's eternal shore. I AM WITH THEE. WHEN my head is bowed with sorrow, In the still night-watches, Father, When the stars shine calm and clear, And the earth is wrapped in silence deep, Thy voice I seem to hear. There seemeth an angel-watcher In every gleaming star, And through the still night cometh then That voice from the land afar. Then, to my weary spirit, Peace, like the dew of heaven, Cometh with gentle, whispered words Of strength to mortals given. Then upward gazing, Father, My spirit feels no fear, For Thine angels' wings o'ershadow me, And I feel that Thou art near. And I know, whate'er the sorrow, Yea, Thou art with me, Father, " THE FORSAKEN. WHEN, oh when will he come again?" I heard a maiden sigh, As she raised her sad and tearful face And the azure sky looked pitying down And a soft cloud veiled the summer sun, The gentle flowers stood sadly round, As though they would soothe her pain; And the soft breeze sighed, as she wearily moaned, "Oh, when will he come again?" Once more she raised that lovely face, "He promised me, ere the spring-time came, |