GIVE ME THY HEART.

With echoing steps the worshipers Departed one by one; The organ's pealing voice was stilled, The vesper hymn was done; The shadows fell from roof and arch, Dim was the incensed air, One lamp alone, with trembling ray, Told of the Presence there! In the dark church she knelt alone; Her tears were falling fast; "Help, Lord," she cried, "the shades of death Upon my soul are cast! Have I not shunned the path of sin, And chosen the better part?"— What voice came through the sacred air?— "My child, give me thy Heart!" "Have I not laid before Thy shrine My wealth, O Lord?" she cried; "Have I kept aught of gems or gold, To minister to pride? Have I not bade youth's joys retire, And vain delights depart?"— But sad and tender was the voice,— "My child, give me thy Heart!" "Have I not, Lord, gone day by day Where Thy poor children dwell; And carried help, and gold, and food? O Lord, Thou knowest it well? From many a house, from many a soul, My hand bids care depart:"— More sad, more tender was the voice,— "My child, give me thy Heart!" "Have I not worn my strength away With fast and penance sore? Have I not watched and wept?" she cried; "Did Thy dear saints do more? Have I not gained Thy grace, O Lord, And won in heaven my part?"— It echoed louder in her soul,— "My child, give me thy Heart!" "For I have loved thee with a love No mortal heart can show; A love so deep, my saints in heaven Its depths can never know; When pierced and wounded on the cross, Man's sin and doom were mine, I loved Thee with undying love, Immortal and divine! "I loved Thee ere the skies were spread; My soul bears all thy pains; To gain thy love my sacred heart In earthly shrines remains: Vain are thy offerings, vain thy sighs, Without one gift divine; Give it my child, thy heart to me, And it shall rest in mine!" In awe she listened, and the shade Passed from her soul away; In low and trembling voice she cried,— "Lord, help me to obey! Break Thou the chains of earth, O Lord, That bind and hold my heart; Let it be Thine, and Thine alone, Let none with Thee have part. "Send down, O Lord, Thy sacred fire! Consume and cleanse the sin That lingers still within its depths; Let heavenly love begin. That sacred flame Thy saints have known, Kindle, O Lord, in me, Thou above all the rest forever, And all the rest in Thee." The blessing fell upon her soul; Her angel by her side Knew that the hour of peace was come; Her soul was purified: The shadows fell from roof and arch, Dim was the incensed air,— But Peace went with her as she left The sacred Presence there! —Adelaide Procter.