A singing bird near by.

And oh, the beauty of the night!
Its hush, its thrill, its charm;
The twinkling brilliance of its stars;
Its tranquil peace and calm.

Oh, loving fatherhood of God
To give us every day
The lovely common things of life
To brighten all the way!

(Susan M. Perkins, in the Boston Transcript)


ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL.

Abou Ben Adhem--may his tribe increase--
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace
And saw, within the moonlight of his room,
Making it rich and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said:
"What writest thou?" The vision raised his head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered: "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke low,
But cheerily still, and Said, "I pray thee, then,