A CHILD'S MORNING HYMN. ONCE more the light of day I see; My heart and voice in song to Thee The "busy bee" ere this hath gone To store its waxen cell. O may I like the bee still strive And store my mind, that richer hive, The skylark from its lowly nest My feeble voice and faltering tone But Thou canst in my heart make known Instruct me, then, to lift my heart To Thee in praise and prayer; And love and gratitude impart For all the gifts Thy bounty sends, For food and clothing, home and friends, Thus let me, Lord, confess the debt I owe Thee day by day; Nor e'er at night or morn forget, A CHILD'S EVENING HYMN. BEFORE I close my eyes in sleep, Though young in years, I have been taught Thy name to love and fear; Of Thee to think with solemn thought, Thy goodness to revere. That goodness gives each simple flower And feeds it in night's darkest hour Nor will Thy mercy less delight The infant's God to be, Who through the darkness of the night The little birds that sing all day In many a leafy wood, By Thee are clothed in plumage gay, And when at night they cease to sing, Their young ones sleep beneath their wing, Thus may'st Thou guard with gracious arm And keep a child from every harm For night and day to Thee are one, |