And if ever in danger and fear we are toss'd
About on the stormy deep,
We'll tell how they once thought that all was lost,
When their Lord " was fast asleep."
He saved them then, He can save us still,
For His are the winds and the sea; And if He is with us, we'll fear no ill, Whatever the danger be.
Or if He sees fit that our boat should sink
By a storm or a leak, like lead,
Yet still of the glorious day we'll think,
When the sea shall yield her dead.
For they who depart in His faith and fear
Shall find that their passage is short,
From the troublesome waves that beset life here
THE TEACHING OF THE BIRDS.
SWEET bird, I like to hear you sing
This pleasant morning in the Spring;
Oh! do not fly so far away;
I will not hurt you if you stay.
Oh, you are busy, I can see,
Building your nest in yonder tree;
Here is some moss, and wool, and hay—
You'll fetch it when I've gone away.
Who teaches little birds to make
Their nests, mamma, and what to take?
For though I both can hem and sew,
I could not make a nest, could you?
God teaches all things to provide
Itself a home; and then, beside,
They have no care for clothes, you know—
He makes their pretty feathers grow.
The old birds teach the young to fly,
First a few inches, then up high;
And then they take their little brood,
And show them how to find their food.
QUARRELLING.
LET dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature too.
But, children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made
To tear each other's eyes.
Let love through all your actions run,
And all your words be mild;
Live like the blessed Virgin's Son,
That sweet and lovely Child.
His soul was gentle as a lamb;
And as His stature grew,
He grew in favour both with
And God His Father too.
Now, Lord of all, He reigns above,
And from His heavenly throne
He sees what children dwell in love,
And marks them for His own.
THE VOICE OF SPRING.
I AM coming, I am coming;
Hark, the little bee is humming;
See, the lark is soaring high
In the blue and sunny sky;
And the gnats are on the wing,
Wheeling round in airy ring.
See, the yellow catkins cover
All the slender willows over;
And on banks of mossy green
Star-like primroses are seen;
And, their clustering leaves below,
White and purple violets blow.
Hark, the new-born lambs are bleating,
And the cawing rooks are meeting
In the elms-a noisy crowd!
All the birds are singing loud;
And the first white butterfly
In the sunshine dances by.
Look around thee, look around!
Flowers in all the fields abound;
Every running stream is bright;
All the orchard trees are white,
And each small and waving shoot
Promises sweet flowers and fruit.
Turn thine eyes to earth and heaven,
God for thee the Spring has given,
Taught the birds their melodies;
Clothed the earth, and clear'd the skies,
For thy pleasure or thy food;
Pour thy soul in gratitude!
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