And ever thus, in this lower world, TO MY BIBLE. SWEET BOOK, by God my Maker given, Dear faithful guide from earth to heaven, In reading thee, a holy calm Steals gently o'er my breast; For there I trace a Father's care, Gently upholding me, And guiding me, through every snare, Safe to eternity. There, in a Saviour's love, I see Justice and mercy meet; When shall my soul from earth be free, And there a Comforter I find Leading my weak and harrass'd mind To rest, O God, in Thee. There, too, I read of holiness, And everlasting happiness To all through Christ forgiven. O precious gift of perfect love, HAY AND CORN. NEVER fear the wintry blast, Peace and plenty be our lot, THE time of harvest has always been regarded as a joyful season, and well it may, for on its good gathering depends the comfort and happiness of thousands and millions of human beings. June and July for the hay. I need not tell my little readers what hay is-they all know that. Every little boy and girl has stood and seen the man with his broad scythe cutting down, sweep after sweep, the long grass and all the pretty flowers. I confess that when I was a little boy I always stood by and looked on with painful feelings as he cut them down, for I did not like to see those lovely flowers, whose beauty I had so much admired and whose sweet scent had been so fragrant, all cut down at one fell swoop. But so it was, and so it must be, or there would not be any food for the cattle in winter, and the cattle must live or we shall all fare badly-little boys and girls especially, if the good cow should not give her milk, and she could not if she had nothing to eat. Making hay follows, and well do I remember spending some happy joyous days with my cousins in the hayfield, turning over the grass, rolling over the haycocks, and riding in the empty waggon back to the field. And then, when aunt sent a good dinner, how did I enjoy the cabbage and bacon! I thought Í never ate a dinner with such a relish in my life. It was delicious. August and September for the corn-corn, of which we make bread, which is the best food in the world. What should we do without bread? What a wonderful provision our heavenly Father has made for us in giving such an abundant supply of this excellent food! How ought we to admire his wisdom! How ought we to praise his goodness! I have often stood and admired a large field of corn, as it stands all ripe and ready for the reaper's sickle-its yellow ears bending and waving before the breeze like waves of the sea before the wind. What a magnificent sight! "These are thy glorious works Now whilst I am writing this, in the month of July, the sun is shining in his strength, and all things around promise an abundant harvest. There have been clouds and rain, but they are passed away, and now we have "the clear shining of the sun after the showers." "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works unto the children of men!" Never may we waste the blessings of his providence, or forget the kind hand that bestows them. But how much higher should our praise arise for the provision our heavenly Father has made for our everlasting well-being. It is a very good thing to have food and raiment, but better far to have the hope of everlasting life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Thy bounteous hand, with various good, Hath made my cup run o'er; Through every period of my life, And after death, in distant worlds, |