So to the ark she fled, God is thy ark, my love: Mrs. Sigourney. S 14. GLADNESS. Is this a time to be cloudy and sad, When our mother Nature laughs around; When even the deep blue heavens look glad, And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground? There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren, And the gossip of swallows through all the sky; The ground-squirrel gayly chirps by his den, And the wilding bee hums merrily by. The clouds are at play in the azure space, And their shadows at play on the bright green vale; And here they stretch to the frolic chase, And there they roll on the easy gale. There's a dance of leaves in that aspen bower; There's a titter of wind in that beechen tree; There's a smile on the fruit, and a smile on the flower, And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea. And look at the broad-faced Sun! how he smiles W. C. Bryant. 15. THOU, GOD, SEEST ME. THROUGH all the busy daylight, through all the quiet night, Whether the stars are in the sky or the sun is shining bright, In the nursery, in the parlor, in the street, or on the stair, Though I may seem to be alone, yet God is always there. Whatever I may do, Wherever I may be, Although I see him not, 6 He knows each word I mean to speak before the word is spoken; He knows the thoughts within my heart, although I give no token : When I am naughty, then I grieve my heavenly Father's love; And, every time I really try, he helps me from above. Whatever I may do, Wherever I may be, Although I see him not, I have kind and tender parents; I have many loving friends: But none love me as God loves me; and all that's good he sends: I will walk as God shall lead.me, while the sun is in the sky; And lay me down, and sleep in peace beneath his watchful eye. Whatever I may do, Wherever I may be, Hymns for Mothers and Children. 16. GOD'S LOVE IN THE FLOWERS. GO OD might have made the earth bring forth The oak-tree and the cedar-tree, Without a flower at all.' He might have made enough, enough, For luxury, medicine, and toil; And yet have made no flowers. The clouds might give abundant rain, Then wherefore, wherefore, were they made, -- Springing in valleys green and low, Our outward life requires them not: To minister delight to man; To comfort man; to whisper hope For He that careth for the flowers Mary Howitt. WHY 17. MINISTERING SPIRITS. glory come not spirits from the realms of To visit earth as in the days of old, The times of sacred writ and ancient story? Is heaven more distant? or has earth grown cold? To Bethlehem's air was their last anthem given, When other stars before the One grew dim? Was their last presence known in Peter's prison, Or where exulting martyrs raised their hymn? And are they all within the veil departed? There gleams no wing along the empyrean now; And many a tear from human eyes has started Since angel touch has calmed a mortal brow. No: earth has angels, though their forms are moulded But of such clay as fashions all below: |