stitution. But he was loath to
leave his parishioners, and, lingering at his post, could not be persuaded
to go to Italy until it was too late for the change to save him.

He held a last communion service and delivered his solemn, pathetic
parting words. Then, dragging himself wearily to his room, he wrote the
hymn "Abide With Me," a most affecting expression of the faith of a dying
man. Not long afterward he died at Nice, France. Of all his hymns, "Abide
With Me" is best remembered. Like "Lead, Kindly Light," it is a hymn of
comfort and help. Always the most helpful words have come from those who
have themselves most felt the need of help.

LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT.

BY CARDINAL NEWMAN.

Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet! I do not ask to see
The distant scene--one step's enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path, but now
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.

So long thy power has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.

ABIDE WITH ME.

BY HENRY FRANCIS LYTE.

Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see:
O thou, who changest not, abide with me!

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as thou dwell'st with thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free--
Come, not to sojourn, but abide, with me!

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings;
But kind and good, with healing in thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea:
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me!

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left thee:
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me!

I