LESSON XXV. DIRECTION.-The former part of each verse in the following poetry, should be read or spoken in a low tone of voice, denoting majesty and power; the latter part, in a lively, animated style. THE DAYS OF CREATION. From the German of KRUMMACHER. 1. () ALL dead and silent was the earth, In deepest night it lay, 2. 3. 4. The ETERNAL spoke Creation's word, It streamed from on high, All reddening and bright, God spake, the murmuring waters fled,- Now sparkles above Heaven's glorious blue, It sends to the earth The light and the dew. God spake,-He bade the waves divide,— From hill, from rock, the gushing streams In bubbling torrents spread! The earth rested quiet, And poised in the air, God spake, the hills and plains put on Their robe of freshest green; Dark forests in the valleys wave, And budding trees are seen! 5. 6. 7. 8. The word of his breath, Clothes forests with leaves,- The spring-tide receives. God spake, and on the new dressed earth, As they shone in the sky; God spake, the waters teem with life, Dart quickly through the woods! High rushes the eagle On fiery wings, Low hid in the valley, The nightingale sings. God spake,-He looked on earth and heaven With mild and gracious eye; In His own image man He made, And gave him dignity. He springs from the dust, The lord of the earth,- Exult at his birth! And now creation's work was ended, Man raised his head-he spoke; The day of rest by God ordained, The Sabbath morning broke. 1. (%) “Let there be light!" proclaimed the Almighty Lord. Astonished Chaos heard the potent word; 2. 3. Through all its realms the kindling ether runs, Roll on, ye stars! exult in youthful prime,- Star after star from heaven's high arch shall rush, DARWIN. LESSON XXVI. EXPLANATORY NOTE.-EX CEL' SI OR is a Latin term which signifies more lofty, HIGHER. It is adopted as the motto of the State of New York. THE EDUCATIONAL POLICY OF NEW YORK. HORACE MANN. 1. VAST as are the interests of the Empire State,—with a population approaching to that of the whole United Colonies, at the time they acheived their independence, and a valuation, probably exceeding that of the whole country during the Rev olutionary struggle, with a soil fertile in vegetable, and stored with mineral productions, with a splendid system of internal improvements, yielding its millions of direct revenue to the State, yet, indirectly, a hundred fold more valuable to the citizens from the means which it furnishes for universal competence and comfort, with an extent of territory, almost equal to that of England,―occupying a central and commanding position, by which it is open to the ocean on one side, and connected on all others with immense regions, filled with industrious and populous communities, so that a great part of the commerce of this western world, passes through its gates, and pays its tribute,-yet in the midst of these vast and varied interests, its true interest-THE EDUCATION OF ITS PEOPLE, transcends them all. 2. For, to what purpose is there a combination of all these constituents of greatness, which make it truly an Empire State-of what avail is its territorial extent, measured, as it is, by degrees of latitude and longitude upon the earth's surface; why are its great thoroughfares and cities piled and heaped high with accumulated riches;-to what end does every inflowing tide pour wealth upon its shores;-if, amidst all these elements of worldly power, the mind of man have not an over-mastering power, if the intellect and morals do not rise above them, and predominate, and establish a supremacy over them, and convert them from gratifications of appetite, passions, and pride, into instruments of mental and spiritual well-being? 3. To devote worldly and material resources to intellectual and moral improvement; to change corporeal riches into mental treasures, is to transmute the dull, cold, perishable things of earth and time into celestial and immortal capacities—as, by the mysterious processes of nature, the dark mold of the valley is turned into flowers and fruits. EXCELSIOR" is the beautiful motto which that great State has chosen. Let her wisely fulfill that noble idea, by striving, through the means of an enlarged and thorough education of her people, to rise higher and HIGHER in the endless scale of GOOD. 66 LESSON XXVII. NOTE.-The following beautiful poem is considered one of the gems of the English language. Its symbolical meaning will be at once perceived. Under the disguise of an Alpine traveler, it represents the incentives, the struggles, and the fate of genius. It depicts with vivid power, the youthful and ardent aspirant in his progress up the dangerous and dizzy hights of fame, leaving behind him all the honors and riches of the world, and intent only on the object of his pursuit far onward and upward. EXCELSIOR, OR THE YOUTHFUL ASPIRANT. H. W. LONGFELLOW. 1. () THE shades of night were falling fast, 2. 8. 4. 5. His brow was sad; his eyes beneath The accents of that unknown tongue, In happy homes he saw the light Of household fires gleam warm and bright; And from his lips escaped a groan, EXCELSIOR! "Try not the Pass !" the old man said, "Beware the pine-tree's withered branch! This was the peasant's last good-night; EXCELSIOR! |