Everything is laughing, singing, Sporting in the brilliant sun; Children, too, may sport and play, For it is a pleasant day. Bring the hoop, and bring the ball, Let us make a merry ring, Talk and laugh, and dance and sing; For it is a pleasant day. AN ENQUIRY. Who taught the bird to build her nest Of wool, and hay, and moss? Who taught her how to weave it best, And lay the twigs across ? Who taught the busy bee to fly Among the sweetest flowers; And lay her store of honey by, To eat in winter hours? Who taught the little ant the way And through the pleasant summer day, To gather up her store? 'Twas God, who taught them all the way, And gave their little skill; He teaches children how to pray, And do his holy will. ANON. God in his infinite wisdom gave the bird an instinct or inward faculty, by which at certain seasons it builds its beautiful nest, oftentimes of the commonest materials, which it endows with warmth suited to the "little nestlings" which are afterwards to make their appearance. The same Almighty Being likewise taught the busy bee to construct its wondrous cell, for receiving the honey which it culls from the flowers of the field, and thus through all His works, the simplest as well as the highest, the greatest perfection and beauty are to be seen. HYMN. There's not a leaf within the bower; Thy hand the varied leaf designed, And gave the bird its thrilling (2) tone; Yes; dew-drops, leaves and birds, and all, (1) Impress-mark, stamp. (2) Thrilling-piercing. But man alone to bounteous Heaven, Thanksgiving's conscious (3) strains (4) can raise ; To favoured man alone 'tis given, To join the heavenly host in praise. (3) Conscious-understood MRS. OPIE. (4) Strains-prayers, hymns. "O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever." "O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord; praise him and magnify him for ever." WE ARE SEVEN. A simple child, dear brother Jim, I met a little cottage girl, She was eight years old, she said; 'Sisters and brothers, little maid, 'And where are they, I pray you tell?' And two are gone to sea. (1) Clustered-hanging in clusters. 'You run about, my little maid, Then ye are only five.' "Their graves are green, they may be seen,' The little maid replied, 'Twelve steps or more from my mother's door, And they are side by side. 'My stockings there I often knit, My 'kerchief there I hem; And often after sunset, sir, I take my little porringer (2) (2) Porringer-a small wooden bowl. "The first that died was little Jane, Till God released her of her pain, 'So in the church-yard she was laid, 'And when the ground was white with snow, And I could run and slide, My brother John was forced to go, And he lies by her side.' 'How many are you then,' said I, 'If they two are in heaven?' The little maiden did reply, 'O, master! we are seven.' 'But they are dead, those two are dead,' Their spirits are in heaven.' 'Twas throwing words away, for still The little maid would have her will And say 'Nay, we are Seven.' THE TRUTH. WORDSWORTH. "Why should you fear the truth to tell? Does falsehood ever do so well? Can you be satisfied to know There's something wrong to hide below? No; let your fault be what it may, To own it is the happy way. |