THE FIRST-FRUITS. And oh, how sweet and pleasant All is more fresh and fragrant 91 D. A. T. THE FIRST-FRUITS. FAIR waved the golden corn To God, so good and great, They carry to His temple-gate The choicest of their store. For thus the holy word, Spoken by Moses, ran: "The first ripe fruits are for the Lord; The rest He gives to man." Like Israel, Lord, we give And pray, that long as we shall live, This is our youthful prime In wisdom let us grow, As years and strength are given, That we may serve Thy church below, And join Thy saints in heaven. MY POETRY BOOK. THE LARK. How sweet is the song of the lark, as she springs To welcome the morning, with joy on her wings; The higher she rises, the sweeter she sings, And she sings while we hear her no more; When storms and dark clouds veil the sun from our sight, She has mounted above them, she sings in the light, There, far from the scenes that disturb and affright, She loves her sweet music to pour. JESUS NEAR. 93 It is thus with the Christian;-he sees from afar The Day-spring appearing, the bright Morning-star; He quits this dark valley of sorrow and care For the land whence the Day-spring is given; He sings on his way from this cloud-cover'd spot; The swifter his progress, the sweeter his note; When we hear it no longer, the song ceases not, It blends with the chorus of heaven. JESUS NEAR. DEAR Jesus, ever at my side! Thy beautiful and shining face, The sweetness of Thy soft, low voice I cannot feel Thee touch my hand Yet I have felt Thee in my thoughts, And when my heart loves God, I know And when, dear Saviour, I kneel down, Yes, when I pray, Thou prayest too- And when I sleep, Thou sleepest not, To God the Father glory be, The same, O Holy Ghost, to Thee, While ceaseless ages run. FABER. |