Oh, what can little hands do To please the King of heaven?

The little hands some work may try To help the poor in misery: Such grace to mine be given.

Oh, what can little lips do, To please the King of heaven?

The little lips can praise and pray, And gentle words of kindness say: Such grace to mine be given.

Oh, what can little eyes do, To please the King of heaven?

The little eyes can upward look, And learn to read G.o.d's holy Book: Such grace to mine be given.

Oh, what can little hearts do, To please the King of heaven?

Our hearts, if G.o.d His Spirit send, Can love and trust their Saviour-Friend: Such grace to mine be given.

When hearts, and hands, and lips unite To please the King of heaven, And serve the Saviour with delight, They are most precious in His sight: Such grace to mine be given.

--_Fabin_.

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HOW GENTLE G.o.d'S COMMANDS

How gentle G.o.d's commands, How kind His precepts are!

Come cast your burdens on the Lord, And trust His constant care.

While Providence supports, Let saints securely dwell; That hand which bears all nature up Shall guide His children well.

Why should this anxious load Press down your weary mind?

Haste to your heavenly Father's throne, And sweet refreshment find.

His goodness stands approved, Down to the present day; I'll drop my burden at His feet, And bear a song away.

--_Philip Doddridge_.

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ABOVE THE CLEAR BLUE SKY

Above the clear blue sky, In heaven's bright abode, The angel host on high Sing praises to their G.o.d: Alleluia!

They love to sing To G.o.d their King Alleluia!

But G.o.d from children's tongues On earth receiveth praise; We then our cheerful songs In sweet accord will raise: Alleluia!

We, too, will sing To G.o.d our King Alleluia!

O blessed Lord, Thy truth To all Thy flock impart, And teach us in our youth To know Thee as Thou art.

Alleluia!

Then shall we sing To G.o.d our King Alleluia!

--_John Chandler_.

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BEDTIME STORIES

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THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

Once there were two little children who lived in a large, red brick house, on a quiet street in the city. The names of these little children were Margaret and Harold. Margaret was five years old, and Harold was eight. Margaret and Harold used to have the best of times together. They played with their dog Sport and their cat Spot. They built houses of blocks. They colored pictures with their crayons. In winter, Harold drew Margaret on his sled, and in summer they played in the garden. But, better than all else, they loved to hear their mamma tell stories. Every night, before they went to bed, she told them a story.

"What shall it be to-night?" said mamma, as they sat before the fire after a cold winter's day.

"A Bible story," said Margaret.

"Very well," replied mamma. "It shall be a Bible story to-night, and since it is almost Christmas-time, I will tell you about the dear little Christ-child who was born in Bethlehem, and the first Christmas."

So Margaret cuddled up in her mamma's lap, and Harold sat at her feet, and she began.

THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

"Once upon a time, there was a little town called Bethlehem of Judea, and late one afternoon in winter, a man named Joseph, and his wife named Mary, came to this {246} town. They were very glad to reach the village, for they were cold and hungry. But they were disappointed. No one would take them in. There is an old song which tells about it:--

"'O, dark was the night, And cold blew the wind, But Joseph and Mary No shelter could find.

"'In all the fair city Of Bethlehem, In cottage or inn, Was no room for them.'"

"Wouldn't anyone let them in?" said Margaret.

"No," said mamma. "They went to the inn, or hotel, of Bethlehem, and the keeper of the inn said, 'No room for you here, go away.' They went to each one of the houses, and the people who lived in them said crossly, 'No room for you here, go away.'"

"I would have let them in if I had been there," said Harold, earnestly.

"I would, too," said Margaret. "Were they very cold, dear mamma?"

"Yes, my dears," said mamma, smiling, "I know that you would have been kind to them. But you see this was before Jesus had taught people to be good and kind to others. Well, they were very cold and very sad, but at last the keeper of the inn let them go into his stable, and there were oxen there, and hay, and stalls for the cattle, and mangers."

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[Ill.u.s.tration]

BETHLEHEM AT SUNSET

From a photograph taken by Mrs. Frank L. Goodspeed, and used by her kind permission.

This beautiful picture of Bethlehem was taken just at sunset, with a cloud effect unusual in Eastern skies. "So must the little town have looked when Joseph and Mary, weary from their long journey, approached it. The short winter's day was probably closing in as the two travelers from Nazareth neared their journey's end. The way had been long and weary. A sense of rest and peace must almost unconsciously have crept over the travelers when at last they reached the rich fields that surrounded the ancient 'House of Bread,' and, pa.s.sing through the valley, which, like an amphitheater, sweeps up to the twain heights along which Bethlehem stretches, ascended through the terraced vineyards and gardens."--_Edersheim_ [End ill.u.s.tration]

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"Like grandpapa's barn?" asked Harold.