Self-Examination.

"What wouldst Thou have me do, O Lord ?"
Rise, little child, and onward go,
Where Saints are met with one accord
The praises of high God to show.
and song,

In meekness learn their prayer

Do as they do, and thou ere long
Shalt see the wonders they behold
In heavenly books and creeds of old.

"What wouldst Thou have me do, O Lord ?” So whispering, Saul with prostrate brow The persecuted One adored,

So breathed his earliest Christian vow.

Stern the reply :—to fast alone,

And in the darkness make his moan.
Thrice set and rose the weary day,

Ere with the Christians he might pray.

"What wouldst Thou have me do, O Lord?"

Think, little child; thy conscience try, Rebellious deed and idle word,

And selfish thought and envious eye :—

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Hast thou no mark of these? and yet
Full in thy sight His Law was set.
O, if He joy'd the Cross to bear,
With patience take thy little share.

Early Encouragements.

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5.

CONFESSION.

"And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden."

DIDST thou not hear how soft the day-wind sighed,
How from afar that sweeping breath it drew,
Waved the light rustling branches far and wide,

Then died away, then rose and moaned anew?

Sure if aright our morning prayers were said,

We in those tones the Almighty's unseen walk Shall hear, nor vainly shun the Presence dread, Which comes in mercy with our souls to talk.

Where art thou, child of earth ?" He seems to say, "Why hide so deep from Love's all-seeing eye ?"— "I heard and feared, for I have sinned to-day.”—

"What? know'st thou not the Almighty One was by?

"Think'st thou to lurk in yonder wavering boughs,

Where even these earthly sunbeams glide and steal? Nay, speed thee forth while yet high grace allows,

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Lay bare thy wounds to Him who waits to heal.

They only rankle in th' unwholesome shade; But sun and air have soothing power, and He Yearns to forgive, when hearts are lowly laid. Even now behold His robe prepared for thee.

"These fluttering leaves the more unveil thy shame. Fall humbly down, and hide thine eyes in dust: He will upraise thee, for His own great Name;

His penance garb will make and show thee just."

Early Encouragements.

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6.

TELL THY MOTHER.

"Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are are straitened in your own bowels."

WEARY Soul and burthened sore,
Labouring with thy secret load,
Fear not all thy grief to pour

In this heart, true Love's abode.

Think not all is hidden quite :

Mothers' ears are keen to hear,
Mothers' eyes are quick as light,
Glancing wide and watching near.

I with boding anguish read

Half your tale ere ye begin:

Bitter drops in heart I bleed,

Penance for your shame and sin.