Oh! how I've wish'd that I had been But thanks to that Almighty Friend, As when he thus refus'd to send And he has made his covenant broad,To all who seek his face He'll be a Saviour and a God, And fill them with his grace. Then let us at his altar bow, And bring the children there; He will receive them kindly now, And hear their feeblest prayer. HE SHALL FEED HIS FLOCK LIKE A SHEPHERD. 201 HE SHALL FEED HIS FLOCK, LIKE A SHEPHERD. ISAIAH xl. 11. SWEET is a heart of praise, Though varying joy should bloom, Joy would be grief, and gladness gloom, Whatever He bestows, And that alone is bliss; Peace, like a ceaseless river flows, From consciousness of this. 202 HE SHALL FEED HIS FLOCK LIKE A SHEPHERD. Great Shepherd make us feel Thy love directs our ways; Of peace, and theme of praise. Led by our Shepherd's voice, THE PLAYTHINGS. OH! mother, here's the very top That brother used to spin; The vase with seeds I've seen him drop To call our robin in: The line that held his pretty kite, His bow, his cup, and ball, The slate on which he learned to write, His feather, cap, and all! 66 My dear, I'd put the things away, Sweet innocent! he little thinks The slightest thought expressed Of him that's lost, how deep it sinks Within a mother's breast!" TO-DAY. TO-DAY is added to our time, Yet while we sing, it glides away; How soon shall we be past our prime; For where, alas! is yesterday? Gone-gone into eternity; There every day in turn appears; To-morrow-O, 'twill never be. If we should live a thousand years. Our time is all to-day, to-day, The same though changed; and while it flies, With still small voice the moments say, "To-day, to-day, be wise to-day." Then wisdom from above impart, O Lord, send forth thy light and truth, To guide our feet, inspire our heart, And make us Christians from our youth. |