Charles M. Dickinson

When the lessons and tasks are all ended,
And the school for the day is dismissed,
The read more

When the lessons and tasks are all ended,
And the school for the day is dismissed,
The little one gather around me,
To bid me good-night and be kissed;
On, the little white arms that encircle
My neck in their tender embrace
Oh, the smiles that are halos of heaven,
Shedding sunshine of love on my face.

I ask not a life for the dear ones,
All radiant, as others have done,
But that read more

I ask not a life for the dear ones,
All radiant, as others have done,
But that life may have just enough shadow
To temper the glare of the sun;
I would pray God to guard them from evil,
But my prayer would bound back to myself:
Ah! a seraph may pray for a sinner,
But a sinner must pray for himself.