He guards me both by day and night;
It is his sun that gives me light;
And, while in sleep my rest I take,
He keeps me safe until I wake.
When I am ill, he knows my pain,
And often makes me well again:
When I am well, he keeps me so;
And all I have to him I owe.
He gives me friends and teachers kind,
Who seek to train my infant mind
His holy name to know and love,
And raise my thoughts to things above.
Lord, let thy tender love to me
Draw forth my heart in love to thee,
Love that shall lead me to obey
And serve and praise thee day by day.
WHO taught the bird to build her nest
Of wool and hay and moss?
Who taught her how to weave it best,
And lay the twigs across?
Who taught the busy bee to fly
Among the sweetest flowers,
And lay her store of honey by
To eat in winter hours?
Who taught the little ant the way
Her narrow hole to bore,
And through the pleasant summer day
To gather up her store?
"Twas God who taught them all the way, And gave their little skill;
He teaches children, when they pray,
To do his holy will.
WHAT A CHILD HAS.
I HAVE two eyes so bright and clear,
And they see things afar and near,
The bird, the tree, the flower so small,
And the blue sky, bent over all.
Two ears have I upon my head,
For me to hear what may be said;
To hear my mother's words so mild, -
"Be good and gentle, my dear child!"
I have one mouth, as all may see;
But well its use is known to me;
For I can talk with it all day,
And all that I may think can say.
I have two hands so soft and white, -
This is the left, and this the right,-
Five little fingers stand on each,
With which to hold, to feel, and reach;
But, when I grow as tall as you,
A deal of work they then will do.
I have two feet at my command,
With which to walk, or run, or stand;
And should I tumble down-why, then
I must with speed jump up again.
But, when I grow both large and strong,
I shall quite boldly march along.
HOURS SPENT ARIGHT.
THE morning hours of cheerful light,
Of all the day, are best;
But, as they speed their hasty flight,
If every hour is spent aright,
We sweetly sink to sleep at night,
And pleasant is our rest.
And life is like a summer day,
It seems so quickly past:
Youth is the morning bright and gay ;
And, if 'tis spent in wisdom's way,
We meet old age without dismay,
And death is sweet at last.
WHO's the darling little girl
Everybody loves to see?
She it is whose sunny face
Is as sweet as sweet can be.
Who's the darling little girl
Everybody loves to hear?
She it is whose pleasant voice
Falls like music on the ear.
Who's the darling little girl
Everybody loves to know?
She it is whose acts and thoughts
All are pure as whitest snow.
LITTLE White Lily
Sat by a stone,
Drooping and waiting
Till the sun shone.
Little white Lily
Sunshine has fed;
Little white Lily
Is lifting her head.
Little white Lily
Said, "It is good, Little white Lily's Clothing and food.". Little white Lily,
Dressed like a bride, Shining with whiteness, And crownèd beside!
Little white Lily
Droopeth with pain,
Waiting and waiting
For the soft rain.
Little white Lily
Holdeth her cup;
Rain is fast falling,
And filling it up.
Little white Lily
Said, "Good again,
When I am thirsty
To have nice rain;
Now I am stronger,
Now I am cool;
Heat cannot burn me,
My veins are so full."
Little white Lily
Smells very sweet; On her head sunshine,
Rain at her feet.
|