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CHAPTER V.

PROMISCUOUS PIECES.

SECTION I.

Gratitude to the Supreme Being.

How cheerful along the gay mead,
The daisy and cowslip appear !
The flocks, as they carelessly feed,
Rejoice in the spring of the year.

The myrtles that shade the gay bow'rs,
The herbage that springs from the sod,

Trees, plants, cooling fruits, and sweet flow'rs,
All rise to the praise of my GoD.

Shall man, the great master of all,

The only insensible prove?

Forbid it, fair Gratitude's call!

Forbid it, devotion and love!

The LORD, who such wonders could raise,

And still can destroy with a nod,

My lips shall incessantly praise;

My heart shall rejoice in my God.

SECTION II.

Acknowledgment of Divine favours.

WHENE'ER I take my walks abroad,

How many poor I see!

What shall I render to my God,

For all his gifts to me!

Not more than others I deserve,
Yet God has giv'n me more;
For I have food, while others starve,
Or beg from door to door.

How many children in the street,

Half naked I behold!

While I am cloth'd from head to feet,

And cover'd from the cold!

While some poor creatures scarce can tell,
Where they may lay their head,

I have a home wherein to dwell,

And rest upon my bed.

While others early learn to swear,

And curse, and lie, and steal,
Lord! I am taught thy name to fear,
And do thy holy will.

Are these thy favours, day by day,

To me above the rest?

Then let me love thee more than they,

And try to serve thee best.

WATTS.

SECTION III.

The excellence of the Bible.

GREAT GOD! with wonder and with praise, On all thy works I look ;

But still, thy wisdom, pow'r, and grace,

Shine brightest in thy book.

The stars, which in their courses roll,
Have much instruction giv'n;

But thy good word informs my soul,
How I may get to Heav'n.

The fields provide me food, and show
The goodness of the Lord;

But fruits of life and glory grow
In thy most holy word.

Here are my choicest treasures hid,

Here my best comfort lies;

Here my desires are satisfied,

And hence my hopes arise.

Lord! make me understand thy law;
Show what my faults have been;
And from thy Gospel let me draw
Pardon for all my sin.

For here I learn how Jesus died,
To save my soul from hell:

Not all the books on earth beside,
Such heav'nly wonders tell.

Then let me love my Bible more,

And take a fresh delight,

By day to read these wanders o'er,
And meditate by night.

SECTION IV.

On industry.

How does the little busy bee

Improve each shining hour;

And gather honey all the day,
From ev'ry op'ning flow'r!

How skilfully she builds her cell!
How neatly spreads the wax!
And labours hard to store it well,

With the sweet food she makes.

In works of labour or of skill,

I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still,
For idle hands to do.

In books, or work, or healthful play,

Let my first years be past;

That I may give for ev'ry day,

WATTS.

Some good account at last.

WATTS.

SECTION V.

On early rising.

How foolish they who lengthen night,
And slumber in the morning light!
How sweet at early morning's rise,
To view the glories of the skies,
And mark with curious eye the sun
Prepare his radiant course to run!
Its fairest form then nature wears,
And clad in brightest green appears.
The sprightly lark, with artless lay,
Proclaims the entrance of the day.
How sweet to breathe the gale's perfume,
And feast the eyes with nature's bloom!

Along the dewy lawn to rove,

And hear the music of the grove!
Nor

you, ye delicate and fair,

Neglect to taste the morning air;

This will your nerves with vigour brace,
Improve and heighten ev'ry grace;
Add to your breath a rich perfume;
And to your cheeks a fairer bloom;
With lustre teach your eyes to glow;
And health and cheerfulness bestow.

ARMSTRONG.

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