put my trust--
The Great Giver of my breath--
He is mighty as he's just,
He wilt guard my soul from death.

On his holy throne he sits,
With his eye o'er all the earth;
But his shaft, that slays the vile,
Never harms the breast of worth.
The man of wrath he dooms
To the terror and the blight;
But his love the soul sustains
That walks humbly in his sight.

* * * * *

LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

BY MRS. EMMA BALL.

"A word spoken in due season, how good is it!" and how often is its
influence more lasting and more beneficial than at the time of its
utterance either speaker or hearer dreams of.

To illustrate. When about seventeen, I was, at my earnest solicitation,
placed in a seminary, with the understanding that for one year I should
devote myself to study, and thus become better fitted for future usefulness
as a teacher. How I had wished for such an opportunity! How often had my
wish been disappointed! and how narrowly I had escaped disappointment even
then! But I was there at last, and everything seemed to be just as I would
have it. Thus far I had studied unaided, and amid incessant interruptions.
Now I could obtain assistance, and command the necessary leisure. The last
four years I had passed in a crowded city. Now I breathed the purest
atmosphere, and the scenery around me was of surpassing beauty. My window
commanded the prettiest view; and, better still, I had no room-mate to
disturb me with unwelcome chit-chat. Who could be happier than I? There was
but one inconvenience, one drawback to the feeling of entire satisfaction
with which, day after day, I looked around "my charming little room;" and
that was the position of my bedstead. I did not like that; for the head was
so near the door as to leave no room for my table; and consequently, as I
could not place my lamp in perfect safety near my bed, I was compelled
either to waste the precious hour before broad daylight, or to rise and
study in a freezing room. "If I could only turn this bedstead round,"
thought I, "so that the head would be near the table, how many hours I
might save!" and I resolved that, on the coming Saturday, I would make the
desirable change. On the afternoon of that day, I was engaged to ride home
with one of the teachers, and the morning I had intended to devote to
sewing and study: "but no matter," thought I; "by a little extra effort I
can accomplish all." Accordingly,