Elementary Books for Catholic Schools. READING-BOOK. No. I. SUPPLEMENT-STANDARD SERIES: INCLUDING LESSONS IN WRITING, ARITHMETIC, &c. LONDON: BURNS, LAMBERT, & Co. 17, 18 PORTMAN STREET, & 63 PATERNOSTER ROW. THE SUN, THE MOON, AND THE STARS. Psalms shining beautiful thoughts GOD made the sun to give light by day, and the moon to give light by night. He made the stars also. The heat of the sun makes plants grow and animals live. It causes the fruits to ripen on the trees, and the corn in the fields to grow tall and yellow. The moon gives light by night. The light of the moon is not so bright as that of the sun. But it is very beautiful when it shines over the woods and fields, or sends down its silver rays upon the face of the sea. The stars do not give much light, though there are such vast numbers of them shining in the sky, like so many bright little lamps. It fills our hearts with thoughts of God when we gaze at these great works which show forth His power. It makes us feel how poor and little we are, and how good and great He is. King David, who loved God so much, wrote thus in the Book of Psalms: "When I behold the heavens, the work of Thy hands; the moon and the stars which Thou hast made; what is man, that Thou art mindful of him; or the son of man, that Thou shouldst visit him?" And he says in another place: "Praise Him, O ye sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light." Sweet Robin! how I love to hear Thy music is as pleasant now, Thou dost not droop thy little wing, |