THE VILLAGER"S VERSE-BOOK.
PATH OF LIFE.
1 O Lord, in sickness and in health, To every lot resigned, Grant me, before all worldly wealth, A meek and thankful mind!
2 As, life, thy upland path we tread, And often pause in vain, To think of friends and parents dead, Oh, let us not complain!
3 The Lord may give or take away, But nought our faith can move, Whilst we to heaven can look and say, Our Father lives above.
SUNRISE.
1 When from my humble bed I rise, And see the morning sun, That, glorious in the eastern skies, Its journey has begun,
2 I think of the Almighty Power Which called this...o...b..from night; I think how many at this hour Rejoice beneath its light.
3 And then I pray, in every land, Where"er this light is shed, That all who live may bless the Hand Which gives their daily bread.
SUMMER"S EVENING.
1 As homeward by the evening star I pa.s.s along the plain, I see the taper"s light afar, Shine through our cottage pane.
2 My brothers and my sisters dear, The child upon the knee, Spring when my hastening steps they hear, And smile to welcome me.
3 But when the fire is growing dim, And mother"s labours cease, I fold my hands, repeat my hymn, And lay me down in peace.
SPRING--CUCKOO.
1 The bee is humming in the sun, The yellow cowslip springs, And, hark! from yonder woodland"s side Again the cuckoo sings!
2 Cuckoo, cuckoo, no other note She sings from day to day; But I, though a poor cottage girl, Can work, and read, and pray.
3 And whilst in knowledge I rejoice, Which heavenly truth displays, Oh! let me still employ my voice In my Redeemer"s praise.
SHEEPFOLD.
1 The sheep were in the fold at night, And now a new-born lamb Totters and trembles in the light, Or bleats beside its dam.
2 How anxiously the mother tries, With every tender care, To screen it from inclement skies, And the cold morning air!
3 The hailstorm of the east is fled, She seems with joy to swell, Whilst ever as she bends her head, I hear the tinkling bell.
4 So while for me a mother"s prayer Ascends to heaven above, May I repay her tender care With grat.i.tude and love!
HEN AND CHICKENS.
1 See, sister, where the chickens trip, All busy in the morn!
Look how their heads they dip and dip, To peck the scattered corn!
2 Dear sister, shall we shut our eyes, And to the sight be blind, Nor think of HIM who food supplies To us and all mankind?
3 Whether our wants be much or few, Or fine or coa.r.s.e our fare, To Heaven"s protecting care is due The voice of praise and prayer.
POOR MAN"S GRAVE.
1 Old Andrews of the hut is dead, And many a child appears, Whilst slowly "dust to dust" is read, Around his grave in tears.
2 A good man gone where small and great, And poor, and high and low, And Dives, proud in worldly state, And Lazarus, must go.
3 May we among the just be found, Though short our sojourn here, Who, when the trump of death shall sound, May hear it without fear!
SABBATH MORNING.
1 The Sabbath bells are knolling slow, The summer morn how fair!
Whilst father, mother, children go, And seek the house of prayer.
2 Some, musing, roam the churchyard round, Some turn their heads with sighs, And gaze upon the new-made ground Where old Giles Summers lies.
3 But see the pastor in his band, The bells have ceased to knoll; Now enter, and at G.o.d"s command, Think, Christian, of thy soul.
4 Whilst heavenly hopes around thee shine, As in G.o.d"s presence live, And calmer comforts shall be thine, Than all the world can give.
THE PRIMROSE.
1 "Tis the first primrose! see how meek, Yet beautiful, it looks; As just a lesson it may teach As that we read in books.