N OF THE ANGELS
By William Adolph Bouguereau (1825-1905)
"Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth,
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth;
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King."
--_James Montgomery_
[End illustration]
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LITTLE VOICES
What says the little brook?
"I am but a little brook;
Yet on me
The stars as brightly gleam
As on the mighty stream;
I sparkle on my way
To the sea."
What says the little ray?
"I am but a little ray,
Sent to earth
By the sun so great and bright,
Giving food and heat and light;
Yet I gladden every spot
The palace and the cot
Hail my birth."
What says the little flower?
"I am but a little flower
At your feet;
Yet on the path you tread,
Some joy and grace I shed;
So I am happy too
For the little I can do
When we meet."
What says the little lamb?
"I am but a little lamb
Soft and mild;
Yet in the meadows sweet
I ramble and I bleat; {428}
And soon my wool will grow,
To clothe you with, you know,
Darling child."
What says the little bird?
"I am but a little bird
With my song;
Come, hear me singing now,
As I hop from bough to bough;
For I cheer the old and sad
With my voice, and I am glad
All day long,"
What says the little child?
"I am but a little child
Fond of play;
Yet in my heart, I know
The grace of God will grow,
If I try to do His will,
And His law of love fulfill,
And obey."
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THE TWILIGHT FALLS, THE NIGHT IS NEAR
The twilight falls, the night is near.
I fold my work away,
And kneel to One who bends to hear
The story of the day.
The old, old story; yet I kneel
To tell it at Thy call,
And cares grow lighter as I feel
That Jesus knows them all.
Thou knowest all: I lean my head;
My weary eyelids close;
Content and glad awhile to tread
This path, since Jesus knows.
And He has loved me: all my heart
With answering love is stirred,
And every anguished pain and smart
Finds healing in the word.
So here I lay me down to rest,
As nightly shadows fall,
And lean confiding on His breast
Who knows and pities all.
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SAVIOUR,
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