TO-DAY Lydia Avery Coonley Ward W HY fear to-morrow, timid heart? Why tread the future's way? We only need to do our part To-day, dear child, to-day. The past is written! Close the book But live to-day-to-day. 'Tis this one hour that God has given; His now we must obey; And it will make our earth his heaven A Death Song L A DEATH SONG Paul Lawrence Dunbar AY me down beneaf de willers in de grass, I kin hyeah it as it go Singin', "Sleep, my honey, tek yo' res' at las'. Lay me nigh to whah hit meks a little pool, Ust to come an' drink an' sing, An' de chillen waded on dey way to school. Let me settle w'en my shouldahs draps dey load Gwine to soothe my sperrit bes' Ef I's layin' 'mong de t'ings I's allus knowed. G THE TWO ANGELS John Greenleaf Whittier OD called the nearest angels who dwell with The tenderest one was Pity, the dearest one was Love. "Arise," He said, "my angels, a wail of woe and sin Steals through the gates of heaven, and saddens all within. "My harps take up the mournful strain that from a lost world swells, The smoke of torment clouds the light and blasts the asphodels. "Fly downward to that under world, and on its souls of pain Let Love drop smiles like sunshine, and Pity tears like rain!" Two faces bowed before the Throne, veiled in their golden hair; Four white wings lessened swiftly down the dark abyss of air. The way was strange, the flight was long; at last the angels came Where swung the lost and nether world, red-wrapped in rayless flame. The Two Angels There Pity, shuddering, wept; but Love, with faith too strong for fear, Took heart from God's almightiness and smiled a smile of cheer. And lo! that tear of Pity quenched the flame whereon it fell, And with the sunshine of that smile, hope entered into hell! Two unveiled faces full of joy looked upward to the Throne, Four white wings folded at the feet of Him who sat thereon! And deeper than the sound of seas, more soft than falling flake, Amidst the hush of wing and song the Voice Eternal spake: "Welcome, my angels! ye have brought a holier joy to heaven; Henceforth its sweetest song shall be the song of sin forgiven." LIGHT SHINING OUT OF G DARKNESS William Cowper OD moves in a mysterious way He plants His footsteps on the sea, Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, His purposes will ripen fast, The bud may have a bitter taste, Blind unbelief is sure to err, |