ing rill
For the steps of my playmates fair--
They are gone--but yon heaven is o'er me still,
And I'll seek to meet them there.

Parents, and friends, and hopes are gone,
And these memories only given,
But they shall be links, while the heart is lone,
In the "chain" that reaches heaven.

SUNSHINE AND RAIN.

BY GEORGE S. BURLEIGH.

O Blessed sunshine, and thrice-blessed rain,
How ye do warm and melt the rugged soil,--
Which else were barren, nathless all my toil
And summon Beauty from her grave again,
To breathe live odors o'er my scant domain:
How softly from their parting buds uncoil
The furled sweets, no more a shriveled spoil
To the loud storm, or canker's silent bane;
Were it all sun, the heat would shrink them up;
Were it all shower, then piteous blight were sure;
Now hangs the dew in every nodding cup,
Shooting new glories from its orblets pure.
Sunshine and shower, I shrink from your extremes,
But with delight behold your blended gleams.

THE CHRISTMAS GARLAND.

BY MISS EMMA WOOD.

CHAPTER I.

THE BOARDING-SCHOOL.

Christmas is coming! The glad sound awakes a thrill of joy in many a
heart. The children clap their tiny hands and laugh aloud in the
exuberance of their mirth as bright visions of varied toys and rich
confectionary flit before their minds. The sound of merry sports--the
gathering of the social band--the banquet--all are scenes of joy.
Shout on bright children, for your innocent mirth will rise as incense
to Him who was even as one of you. The Son of God once reposed his
head upon a mortal breast and wept the tears of infancy. Now risen to
His throne of glory, his smile is still upon you, bright Blossoms of
Blessedness.

Christmas is coming! is the cry of the young and gay, and with light
hearts they prepare for the approaching festival. The holyday robes
are chosen, and the presents selected which shall bring joy to so many
hearts. The lover studies to determine what gift will be acceptable to
his mistress, and the maiden dreams of love-tokens and honeyed words.
Nor is the church forgotten amid the gathering of holyday array, for
that, too, must be robed in beauty. The young claim its adornment as
their appropriate sphere, and rich garlands of evergreen, mingled with
scarlet berries, are twined around its pillars, or festooned along its
walls. Swiftly speeds their