"Rivers of gold-mist flowing down From far celestial fountains,-- The great sun flaming through the rifts Beyond the wall of mountains."
--_John Greenleaf Whittier_ [End ill.u.s.tration]
{67}
Margaret high brooks
flow down climb
look beautiful think
often near
The mountains are high.
They are often covered with trees.
Brooks flow down the mountains.
Margaret went to the mountains in summer.
She could not climb the mountains.
She played in the woods and fields near the mountains.
She picked the red and white and yellow flowers in the fields.
She saw the birds and the bees and the beautiful trees.
{68}
She loved the brook.
She loved to see the mountains.
They were beautiful when the sun set.
When she said her prayer at night, she looked at the beautiful hills and mountains.
It made her think of G.o.d to see the mountains which he made.
"I will lift mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth."--_Psalms 121:1,2_.
{69}
HYMNS FOR THE MORNING
{70} {71}
WHEN MORNING GILDS THE SKIES
When morning gilds the skies, My heart awaking cries, May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, To Jesus I repair; May Jesus Christ be praised!
To Thee, O G.o.d above, I cry with glowing love, May Jesus Christ be praised!
This song of sacred joy, It never seems to cloy, May Jesus Christ be praised!
Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find, May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this, May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest, With this I shield my breast, May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear, When this sweet chant they hear, May Jesus Christ be praised!
When sleep her balm denies, My silent spirit sighs, May Jesus Christ be praised! {72} The night becomes as day, When from the heart we say, May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, while life is mine, My canticle divine, May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this the eternal song, Through all the ages long, May Jesus Christ be praised!
--_From the German_.
{73}{74} [Ill.u.s.tration]
THE BOY JESUS By Winterstein
"Whatever father or mother wanted done in the house, fetching water, drink, bread, meat, looking after the house and other things of that sort, whatever he was bidden, that did the dear little Jesus, like any other child."
--_Martin Luther_ [End ill.u.s.tration]
{75}
A SONG OF THANKSGIVING
We plough the fields and scatter The good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered By G.o.d"s almighty hand; He sends the snow in winter, The warmth to swell the grain, The breezes and the sunshine, And soft refreshing rain.
All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, For all His love!
He only is the Maker Of all things near and far; He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star; The winds and waves obey Him, By Him the birds are fed; Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.
All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, For all His love!
We thank Thee, then, O Father, For all things bright and good, The seedtime and the harvest, Our life, our health, our food; {76} Accept the gifts we offer For all Thy love imparts, And what Thou most desirest, Our humble, thankful hearts.
All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, For all His love!
--_From the German of Mathias Claudius_.
{77}
HEAVEN IS NOT REACHED AT A SINGLE BOUND
Heaven is not reached at a single bound, But we build the ladder on which we rise, From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies, And we mount to the summit round by round.