Volume 22 — AT FRIENDS' MEETING.

Sunshine and shadow o'er unsculptured walls Hang tremulous curtains, radiant and fair; The breath of summer perfumes all the air; Afar the wood-bird trills its tender calls. More eloquent than chanted rituals, Subtler than odors swinging censers bear, Purer than hymn of praise or passionate prayer, The silence, like a benediction, falls. The still, slow moments softly slip along The endless thread of thought: a holy throng Of memories, long prisoned, find release. The sacred sweetness of the hour has lent These quiet faces, calm with deep content, And one world-weary soul alike, the light of peace.