clear.

_Longfellow._

From "Children's Hour and Other Poems." Houghton, Mifflin & Co.,
Publishers.

[Illustration: ST. FRANCIS PREACHING]

* * * * *

LAYS, songs.

ASSISI ([:a]s s[=e]' ze), a town of Italy, where St. Francis was
born in 1182.

What does "manna of celestial words" mean?

What is the singular form of seraphim?

Memory Gem:

Every word has its own spirit,
True or false, that never dies;
Every word man's lips have uttered
Echoes in God's skies.

_Adelaide A. Procter._

* * * * *

_44_

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS.

Gloria in excelsis!
Sound the thrilling song;
In excelsis Deo!
Roll the hymn along.

Gloria in excelsis!
Let the heavens ring;
In excelsis Deo!
Welcome, new-born King.

Gloria in excelsis!
Over the sea and land,
In excelsis Deo!
Chant the anthem grand.

Gloria in excelsis!
Let us all rejoice;
In excelsis Deo!
Lift each heart and voice.

Gloria in excelsis!
Swell the hymn on high;
In excelsis Deo!
Sound it to the sky.

Gloria in excelsis!
Sing it, sinful earth,
In excelsis Deo!
For the Savior's birth.

_Father Ryan._

"Father Ryan's Poems." Published by P.J. Kenedy & Sons, New York.

[Illustration: Artist _Hofmann_.--Caption: "Glory to God in the
highest; and on earth peace to men of good will."]

* * * * *

_45_

plied
won' drous
ex cite' ment
com mo' tion
vig' or
fo' li age
mar' vel ous
com pas' sion

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE.[004]

Once upon a time the Forest was in a great commotion. Early in the
evening the wise old Cedars had shaken their heads and told of strange
things that were to happen. They had lived in the Forest many, many
years; but never had they seen such marvelous sights as were to be seen
now in the sky, and upon the hills, and in the distant village.

"Pray tell us what you see," pleaded a little Vine; "we who are not so
tall as you can behold none of these wonderful things."

"The whole sky seems to be aflame," said one of the Cedars, "and the
Stars appear to be dancing among the clouds; angels walk down from
heaven to the earth and talk with the shepherds upon the hi