The Prayer-seeker

BY J. Q. WHITTIKIl. Along the aisle where praver was made, A vvonian, nll in black arrayed, C osi-vi'lled, between tlie kueeling host, Wiili ";iiiiiii Mintioii of a ghost, Paaoed to the desk and luid thereon A scroll which bore these words alune, - Prayfor me! Back from tlic place of worshipping alie glKlcd like a guilty thing: The rustle of her draperlK stirred By liurrying feet, alone was hcard : While, ftiTI of awe, the preacher ruad, As out iuto the darle slie sped : "Prayfor vu.'" Back to the night (rom whence slie came, To unlmagined grief or stamel Across the ihreshold of that door None knew the burden that he bore ; Alone slie lelt the wntten scroll, The legend of a troubled soul, - Pray for me! Glide on, poor ghost of woe or sin ! TIiod Itav'st a coininou ueed witliin ; Eacli bears, like thee, a iKimeless weight, Soine miseiy inurticulate, Öoine secret sin, soine chrourjed dread, Soine houschold sorrow all uusaid. luyfor ii Pass on ! The type of all thou art, Ö:id Wltuess lo the common heart ! VVith luce in veil and seal on lip. In mate and supuge cuinpanioiiship, Like tln-c we wander to and liü, Uuiubiy iinploriiiK as we go: Pray for ut ! Ah, who slüill pray, since he wlio plcads üur wunt perchatice luit h greater ueeds ? Yct tluy who niake thlr los the gain Ui oiliers sliail nol. ask iu vain. And Heaven bends low to hear the prayer Ui' love from iips of self despair: Prayfor lts ! In vain reraorse and bar and hate B;ut witn Drulsed hands uituinst a íate, Wnose walls of irou only move, And even to the touch of love He o.ily leels lus burlcns iall Who, taught by fUrtering, pitles all, Pray for us ! He prayetli best who loaves unguessed 'i lie mystery of another's breast. hy cueeks grow pale, why eyes o'erflow, Or beoda are white, thou need'st not knuw. Enougb to note by maní' a ira Thut every heart hath ueeds üke tliinc. l'ruy for vs !