Page images
PDF
EPUB

heads; and the blue violet lies hid beneath the shade.

The young goslings are running upon the green, they are just hatched, their bodies are covered with yellow down; the old ones hiss with anger if any

one comes near.

The hen sits upon her nest of straw, she watches patiently the full time, then she carefully breaks the shell, and the young chickens come out.

The lambs just dropped are in the field, they totter by the side of their dams, their young limbs can hardly support their weight.

If you fall, little lambs, you will not be hurt; there is spread under you a carpet of soft grass; it is spread on purpose to receive you.

The butterflies flutter from bush to bush and open their wings to the warm sun.

The young animals of every kind are sporting about, they feel themselves happy, they are glad to be alive,-they thank him that has made them alive.

They may thank him in their hearts, but we can thank him with our tongues; we are better than they, and can praise him better.

The birds can warble and the young lambs can bleat, but we can open our lips in his praise, we can speak of all his goodness. Therefore we will thank him for ourselves, and we will thank him for those that cannot speak. Trees that blossom and little lambs that skip about, if you could, you would say how good he is; but you are dumb, we

will say it for

you.

We will not offer you in sacrifice, but we will offer sacrifice for you; on every hill and in every green field, we will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and the incense of praise.

HYMN III.

BEHOLD the shepherd of the flock, he taketh care for his sheep, he leadeth them among clear brooks, he guideth them to fresh pasture; if the young lambs are weary, he carrieth them in his arms; if they wander, he bringeth them back.

But who is the shepherd's Shepherd? who taketh care for him? who guideth him in the path he should go? and, if he wander, who shall bring him back?

God is the shepherd's Shep

herd. He is the Shepherd over all; he taketh care for all; the whole earth is his fold; we are all his flock; and every herb, field is the pas

and every green ture which he hath prepared for

us.

The mother loveth her little child; she bringeth it up on her knees; she nourisheth its body with food; she feedeth its mind. with knowledge; if it is sick, she nurseth it with tender love; she watcheth over it when asleep; she forgetteth it not for a moment; she teacheth it how to be good; she rejoiceth daily in its growth.

« PreviousContinue »