d thoughts. Give me
understanding. Bless all my friends and keep them and me, both now and
forever. AMEN.
--_By courtesy of the Clarke School, Northampton, Mass_.
A CHILD'S GRACE
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit. AMEN.
--_Robert Burns_.
GRACE FOR A CHILD
Here, a little child, I stand,
Heaving up my either hand;
Cold as paddocks though they be,
Here I lift them up to Thee,
For a benison to fall
On our meat and on us all. AMEN.
--_Robert Herrick_.
{325}
OLD TIME VERSES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN
{326}
{327}
AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF
How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!
How skillfully she builds her cell!
How neat she spreads the wax!
And labors hard to store it well.
With the sweet food she makes.
In works of labor or of skill
I would be busy, too:
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.
In books, or work, or healthful play,
Let my first years be pass'd;
That I may give for every day
Some good account at last.
--_Isaac Watts_.
{328}
AGAINST PRIDE IN CLOTHES
How proud we are! how fond to show
Our clothes, and call them rich and new,
When the poor sheep and silkworm wore
That very clothing long before.
The tulip and the butterfly
Appear in gayer coats than I;
Let me be dress'd fine as I will,
Flies, worms, and flowers exceed me still.
Then will I set my heart to find
Inward adornings of the mind;
Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace!
These are the robes of richest dress.
No more shall worms with me compare,
This is the raiment angels wear;
The Son of God, when here below,
Put on this best apparel, too.
It never fades, it ne'er grows old,
Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mould;
It takes no spot, but still refines;
The more 't is worn the more it shines.
In this on earth would I appear,
Then go to heaven and wear it there;
God will approve it in His sight,
'Tis His own work and His delight.
--_Isaac Watts_.
{329}
THE ANT, OR EMMET
These emmets, how little they are in our eyes!
We tre
|