DO NOT WAIT.

ANON.

[To be spoken by a little girl.] “I wish I was a big woman to help you, mother," said a little girl.

“ Bring mother's thimble; that will help me," said mother, smil. ing.

Just as if God meant for little children to grow up before helping their dear parents! No, no! God gave them two nimble feet on purpose for them to take steps for mother, and eight fingers and two thumbs on purpose to bring and carry for her!

HOW THE LEAVES OAME DOWN.

SUSAN COOLIDGE.

[With simpleness and life.]
I'll tell you how the leaves came down;

The great Tree to his children said,
"You're getting sleepy, Yellow and Brown,

Yes, very sleepy, little Red;
It is quite time you went to bed.

“Ah!" begged each silly, pouting leaf,

“Let us a little longer stay!
Dear father Tree, behold our grief-

'Tis such a very pleasant day
We do not want to go away.”

So, just for one more merry day,

To the great Tree the leaflets clung,
Frolicked and danced, and had their way,

Upon the autumn breezes swung,
Whispering all their sports, among.

Perhaps the great Tree will forget

And let us stay until the spring,
If we all beg, and coax, and fret."

But the great Tree did no such thing;
He smiled to hear their whispering.

“Come, children, all to bed !" he cried;

And, ere the leaves could urge their prayer,
He shook his head, and far and wide,

Fluttering and rustling everywhere
Down sped the leaflets through the air.

I saw them; on the ground they lay,

Golden and red, a huddled swarm,
Waiting till one from far away,

White bed-clothes heaped upon her arm,
Should come to wrap them safe and warm.

The great bare Tree looked down and smiled,

“Good-night, dear little leaves," he said ;
And, from below, each sleepy child

Replied, "Good-night," and murmured
“It is so nice to go to bed."

BOYS, THINK OF THIS!

(Boldly and forcibly.] Boys, did you ever think that this world, with all its wealth and woe, with all its mines and mountains, oceans, seas and rivers—with with all its shipping, its steamboats, railroads and magnetic telegraphs--with all its millions of grouping men, and all the science and progress of ages, will soon be given over to the boys of the present age_boys like you? Believe it, and look abroad upon your inheritance, and get ready to enter upon its possession. The presidents, kings, governors, statesmen, philosophers, ministers, teachers, men of the future-all are boys now.

BABY'S SKIES.

M. C. BARTLETT.

[To be spoken by a little girl very tenderly.]
Would you know the baby's skies?
Baby's skies are mamma's eyes.
Mamma's eyes and smile together
Make the baby's pleasant weather.

Mamma, keep your eyes from tears, Keep your heart from foolish fears, Keep your lips from dull complaining, Lest the baby think 'tis raining.

THE RABBIT ON THE WALL.

ANON.

[Descriptively.)

The cottage work is over,

The evening meal is done
Hark! thro' the starlight stillness

You hear the river run.
The little children whisper,

Then speak out one and all:
“Come, father, make for Johnny

The rabbit on the wall."

He-smilingly assenting,

They gather round his chair;
“Now, grandma, you hold Johnny-

Don't let the candle flare."
So, speaking, from his fingers

He throws a shadow tall,
That seems, a moment after,

A rabbit on the wall.

The children shout with laughter,
The
uproar

louder grows;
Even grandma chuckles faintly,

And Johnny chirps and crows.
There ne'er was gilded painting,

Hung up in lordly hall,
Gave half the simple pleasure

Of this rabbit on the wall.

SPRING.

ANON.

[For a class of little ones in two divisions. Briskly.]

AU.

Spring, Spring, beautiful Spring

Is come, is come, is come! Ist division. On the hills the grass is springing, 2d

On the trees the birds are singing; 1st

All the air is soft with showers, 2d

Fields and woods are bright with flowers; AU.

All things beauty and gladness bring,

With Spring returning, delightsome Spring! Ist division

Spring, Spring! 2d

Lovely Spring! All.

Welcome, welcome, welcome Spring.

66

Ist division. Carefully turn the furrowed land, 2d

Scatter the seed on every hand; Ist

Faithful labor is never in vain,

Faithful sowing shall harvest again. 2d

Heaven shall send the sun and rain,

Crown the Autumn with store of grain.
AU

Trust, trust, Heaven shall send
Bounteous blessings without end.

66

AU.

[More slowly.] 1st division.

Childhood, 2d

Springtime,
Sow the seed

In the youthful heart;
1st division. Christ will nourish,
2d

It will flourish, AU.

And new life impart
Ist

Sinking in our hearts, all glowing,
Shall spring up this heavenly sowing,

And through storm and sunshine growing, 2d division. By and by the fruit shall be

Fruit the angels love to see,

Ripe for immortality.
AU.

And the angels-
Happy angels
Glad shall come,
Gathering the harvest home.

[Very slowly.] Ist division.

Heaven! 20

Home! AU.

Bringing us to Heaven and home!

WORK FOR ALL,

EVANGELIST.

[Recite in a bold, distinct way.]
The drops of rain and the rays of light
Are small themselves, but when all unite
They water the world and they make it bright.

They do not say “of what uso am I?"
We may each do good, if we will bụt try;
We may soothe some grief or some want supply.