Che

JOY of MOTHERHOOD

A...

THE FIRSTBORN

So fair, so dear, so warm upon my bosom,
And in my hands the little rosy feet.
Sleep on, my little bird, my lamb, my blos-

som;

Sleep on, sleep on, my sweet.

What is it God hath given me to cherish, This living, moving wonder which is mineMine only? Leave it with me or I perish, Dear Lord of love divine.

Dear Lord, 't is wonderful beyond all wonder,

This tender miracle vouchsafed to me,
One with myself, yet just as far asunder
That I myself may see.

Flesh of my flesh, and yet so subtly linking

New selfs with old, all things that I have

been

With present joys beyond my former thinking

And future things unseen.

There life began, and here it links with heaven,

The golden chain of years scarce dipped adown

From birth, ere once again a hold is given And nearer to God's Throne.

Seen, held in arms and clasped around so tightly,

My love, my bird, I will not let thee go.
Yet soon the little rosy feet must lightly
Go pattering to and fro.

Mine, Lord, all mine Thy gift and loving token.

Mine

yes or no, unseen its soul divine?

Mine by the chain of love with links un

broken,

Dear Saviour, Thine and mine.

John Arthur Goodchild

BABY-LAND

"How many miles to Baby-Land?”

"Any one can tell;

Up one flight,

To the right;

Please to ring the bell."