’Tis the minstrel’s own
  To kneel at the throne
Of Him who reigns in the heavens alone;—­
  The grief of the soul
  ’Tis His to control,
Who bids in the azure the planets roll.

His couch when balmy slumber flies,
  In watches of the night,
Wilt, soother, come, and close his eyes,
  And make his sorrows light?

  I cannot come
  From my sea-deep home,
Whene’er I list on the earth to roam: 
  Who rules in the form
  Of the ocean-storm
His will must the rain-drop, too, perform.

 Thy gentle prattle at the pane
  Makes timorous Fancy smile: 
 Then let me hear that tender strain;
  Blithe charmer, stay a while.

  No:  I cannot delay,
  But must quickly away
Where the rills in the valley my coming stay;
  I haste to the dell
  Where the wild-flowers dwell,
Then “Peace to thee, minstrel,” is the rain-drop’s farewell.

* * * * *

The poetry and prose you have been reading, children, thus far was most of it selected, when I was invited to a beautiful celebration, with some account of which you will be glad, I am sure, to have me close my collection.  It was on

CHRISTMAS EVENING AT THE PITTS-STREET CHAPEL,

A very neat chapel, where Rev. Mr. Winkley, one of the Ministers at Large, preaches.  On this occasion a platform was built up in front of the pulpit:  most of the centre pews were filled with happy-looking boys and girls, and the rest of the room, even to the aisles, quite crowded with grown-up men and women.  After the singing of two hymns by the children, and a prayer, a gentleman made a short address, telling how much better was the religion of the Jews than the religion of the Heathen.  Then was spoken in a very pleasant way the following

DIALOGUE—­PART I.

Rachel, a Jewess.—­Rebecca, Sister of Rachel.—­Eudora, a Heathen.—­Jezebel, a Messenger.—­Ruth, friend of Rachel and Rebecca.

Eudora. Rachel!

Rachel. Eudora! welcome, thrice welcome, to Jerusalem.

Eudora. Right glad am I, Rachel, to be once more by your side.  The sun has not shone so brightly, nor the birds sung so sweetly, since you bade me farewell at my father’s; and every moment has increased my desire to be with you again.

Rachel. You have well done that you have come to me.  And though I was not conscious of robbing your lovely home of its brightness, yet sure I am the remembrance of your true kindness and tender friendship has been to me ever since an increase of sunshine and song; and, now that you have come to me, the very temple itself shall look more beautiful, and the songs of David catch a new inspiration.

Eudora. Still faithful, I see, to your temple and Jehovah; and so may it ever be!  But I trust you have more respect for the gods I worship, and will not, as of yore, pronounce them false.