I Will Not Let Thee Go.

Nay, I will not let thee go, Though the midnight glideth slow,-- Though the darkness deep and long Dim the sight and hush the song, On thy tender, faithful breast, Find I still my perfect rest-- Soothing sweet for keenest woe-- And I will not let thee go!

Nay, I will not let thee go, Though the morn's enkindling glow Flame along the mountain-height. Flooding all the hills with light; What can morning bring to me, Tender Shepherd, wanting thee? What its songs but sobs of woe? Nay, I will not let thee go!

Nay, I will not let thee go, Though the day no shadows know; Though, the sky's serene to dim, Lower no storm-cloud dark and grim; Whom have I in Heaven but thee?-- What beside hath earth for me?-- Thou, the only trust I know,-- Nay, I will not let thee go!

Let thee go?--my Saviour, nay Thou my night's unfailing day, Thou my dawning's tenderest gleam, Thou my noonday's richest beam,-- Night is day if thou art near, Day without thee, joyless, drear,-- Wanting thee, all bliss were woe,-- Nay, I will not let thee go!

GREETING HYMN.

Written for the Alumni of Albion College, Michigan; and sung at their last re-union, June, 1881.

The gliding years have rolled along, And once again we come, With greeting hand and choral song, To our old college-home;-- Sweet college-home! dear college-home! We gladly gather here, Old friends to greet, Old faces meet, And sing our songs of cheer!

A welcome true for those we meet, For those we miss, a sigh; Of some we ne'er again may greet, We speak with tearful eye; Some rest with God, whose feet once trod These halls with ours of yore; And some there are Who wander far On many a distant shore!

God, bless and keep the ones who roam, And us who meet again; And lit us each for that bright home Where comes no parting pain;-- Oh, aid us still, thro' good or ill Still earnest for the right, With spirits true, To dare and do, With Heaven and thee in sight!

And as the lingering years go by, And changeful seasons come, Still let thine eye rest lovingly On this old college-home;-- Sweet college-home! dear college-home! We gladly gather here, Old friends to meet, Old faces greet, And sing our songs of cheer!