 | The girl's reading-book ; in prose and poetry |  |
193
ON MEETING PUPILS AT THE COMMUNION TABLE.
When gathering round a Saviour's board,
Fair forms, and brows belov'd, I see,
Who once the paths of peace explor'd,
And trac'd the studious page with me,
Fair forms, and brows belov'd, I see,
Who once the paths of peace explor'd,
And trac'd the studious page with me,
Who from my side with pain would part,
My entering steps with gladness greet,
And pour complacent, o'er my heart,
Affection's dew-drops, pure and sweet,
My entering steps with gladness greet,
And pour complacent, o'er my heart,
Affection's dew-drops, pure and sweet,
When now, from each remember'd face
Beam tranquil hope, and faith benign,
When in each eye Heaven's smile I trace,
The tear of joy suffuses mine.
Beam tranquil hope, and faith benign,
When in each eye Heaven's smile I trace,
The tear of joy suffuses mine.
Father! I bless thy ceaseless care,
Which thus its holiest gifts hath shed,
Guide thou their steps through every snare,
From every danger shield their head.
Which thus its holiest gifts hath shed,
Guide thou their steps through every snare,
From every danger shield their head.
From treacherous error's dire control,
From pride, from change, from darkness, free;
Preserve each timorous, trusting soul,
That like the ark-dove flies to thee.
From pride, from change, from darkness, free;
Preserve each timorous, trusting soul,
That like the ark-dove flies to thee.
And may the wreath that cloudless days
Around our hearts so fondly wove,
Still bind us, till we speak thy praise,
As sister spirits, one in love,—
Around our hearts so fondly wove,
194
As sister spirits, one in love,—
One, where no lingering ill can harm,
One, where no stroke of fate can sever,
Where nought but holiness doth charm,
And all that charms shall live forever.
One, where no stroke of fate can sever,
Where nought but holiness doth charm,
And all that charms shall live forever.
| The girl's reading-book ; in prose and poetry | |