"AS ONE OF THESE."

Mary J. Elmendorf.

My little child with trust unquestioning
Looks up to me to solve his problems all.
My care responsive meets his every call;
My words and deeds to him grave lessons bring—
Lanterns and staffs for manhood's wandering.
His love constructs of mine a guardian wall
Against the untoward things that may befall,
And of my presence weaves perpetual spring.

Thus, Father, from my child I fain would learn
To feel the fulness of Thy fatherhood!
Unfaltering in faith through storms and suns,
I would the haven of Thy love discern,
And, grasping firmly what is good and true,
Look up to Thee,—one of Thy little ones.