8 Who Shall Roll Away the Stone? Many a storm-cloud sweeping o'er us, Never comes to give us pain. Burden not thy soul with sadness, Spoil not present joys by asking "Who shall roll away the stone?" Out of Prison. 9 OUT OF PRISON. THE apostle slept. A light shone in the prison; "Arise!" he said; and quickly he hath risen, The watchers saw no light at midnight gleaming, The gates fly open, and the saint, still dreaming, So when the Christian's eyelid droops and closes, A friendly angel stands where he reposes, He gives a gentle blow, and so releases From sin's temptations and from life's distresses It rises up, and from its darksome mansion And feels its freedom in the large expansion Behind it hears Time's iron gates close faintly; For it has reached the city of the saintly, A voice is heard on earth of kinsfolk, weeping But he is gone where the redeemed are keeping The mourners throng the way, and from the steeple But on the golden streets the holy people And saying as they meet, "Rejoice! another, Long waited for, is come; The Saviour's heart is glad; a younger brother Hath reached the Father's home. JAMES DRUMMOND BURNS. Are they Trifles? 11 ARE THEY TRIFLES ? WHY do we speak of a "little thing," Can aught be a trifle which helps to bring The smallest seed in the fertile ground The lightest touch on a festering wound, What is a trifle ?--a thoughtless word, ་ Perchance its echo shall yet be heard, It may rankle long in some tender heart- Is it a trifle, the first false step On the dizzy verge of sin? 12 Are they Trifles? 'Tis treacherous ground, one little slip One light temptation, and we may wear Drops of water are little things, But they form a boundless sea; "Tis in little notes that the wild bird sings, Yet his song is melody. Little voices, now scarcely heard, In heaven shall bear their part ; Cease, then, to speak of a "little thing," Which may give thy brother pain; The greater in their train. So, when thou hearest thy Master's call, |