They that love early become like-minded and the Tempter toucheth them not; they grow up leaning on each other as the olive and the vine.

True wife! fond wife! we have together stood,

Through years of trial, each supporting each,
Ever unto the infinite and good

Thy thoughts than mine have higher, wider reached;
And I have felt how true the wise man's word-
Thou art indeed a gift, a favour from the Lord.

WINTER.

Thou hast made summer and winter. Psalm lxxiv. 17.

Pile up the fire! the winter wind,
Although it nip, is not unkind,
And dark mid-winter days can bring
As many pleasures as the spring.

Pile up the fire! when storms are rade
We feel the joy of gratitude;

And thankful for the good possessed,
Have welcomes for the poorest guest.

Pile up the fire and ere he go
Our blessings on his head shall flow,
The hale old winter, bleak and sere,
The friend and father of the year.

WOMAN.

A kind-hearted woman obtains honour, as strong men obtain riches. Prov. xi. 16.

As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,

So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

The wise woman builds her house;

But the foolish tears it down with her hands.

Her pure and eloquent blood

Spoke in her cheeks, and so distinctly wrought
That one might almost say her body thought.

A woman moved is like a fountain troubled,
Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty;
And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty
Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it.

Hail, boastful man! though worthy are
Thy deeds when thou art true,
Things worthier still and holier far
Our sister yet will do ;

For this the worth of woman shows
On every peopled shore,

That still as man in honour grows
He honours her the more.

O, not for wealth, or fame, or power,
Hath man's sweet angel striven,
But, silent as the growing flower,

To make of earth a heaven!

And in her garden of the sun

Heaven's brightest rose shall bloom;

For woman's best is unbegun!

Her advent 's yet to come!

WORK.

My Father worketh constantly, and so I work. John v. 17.

Do your work, and you will become strong.

The blackbird early leaves its rest
To meet the smiling morn,
And gather fragments for its nest
From upland, wood and lawn.
The busy bee that wings its way
'Mid sweets of varied hue,
At every flower would seem to say—
"There 's work enough to do."

The cowslip and the spreading vine,
The daisy in the grass,
The snow-drop and the eglantine,
Preach sermons as we pass.
The ant within its cavern deep
Would bid us labour too,
And writes upon its tiny heap,
"There 's work enough to do."

The planets at their Maker's will
Move onward in their cars,
For nature's wheel is never still-
Progressive as the stars!
The leaves that flutter in the air-
And summer breezes woo,
One solemn truth to man declare

"There's work enough to do."

YOUTH.

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs viii. 17.

Aged honour cites a virtuous youth.

Keep aloof from bad men; honour your parents; revere the Supreme Will; and you are a faithful disciple of Solon.

Live that thy young and glowing breast

Can think of death without a sigh ;

And be assured that life is best

Which finds us least afraid to die.

MANCHESTER :

JOHN HEYWOOD, PRINTER BY STEAM POWER, DEANSGATE, AND BRAZENNOSE STREET.