A Child's Evening Prayer

Now the day is over,

Night is drawing nigh;

Shadows of the evening

Steal across the sky.

Jesus, give the weary

Calm and sweet repose;

With Thy tenderest blessing

May our eyelids close.

Grant to little children

Visions bright of Thee;

Guard the sailors tossing

On the deep blue sea.

Comfort every sufferer

Watching late in pain;

Those who plan some evil

From their sins arestrain.

Through the long night-watches,

May Thine angels spread

Their white wings above me,

Watching 'round my bed.

When the morning wakens,

Then may I arise

Pure, and fresh, and sinless

In Thy holy eyes.

—S. BARING-GOULD.

In peace will I both lay me down and sleep;

for thou, Lord, alone makest me dwell in safety.

—Psalm iv. 8.