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1 2 3
1
2
3
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6
THE CANADIAN
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER :
OONSISTrXO OF
iial08tt^s, '§m^tM, anb tfonbersatons,
IN POETRY AND PROSE,
CAHKFn.r.y SEl.ECfKlJ K)K
EECITATION AT SABBATH SCHOOL ANNIVERSARIES
- AND OTHER SOCIAL MEETINGS.
TORONTO :
JAMES CAMPBELL.
1862.
it
A PLEA FOR A SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
4
Many are the eflfbrta wliich are being made at the
present day for the diffusion of religious knowledge
amongst the young, and the desire to present truth in
its most alluring and attractive forms, has called into
operation the readiest pens of the laud, and the pencils
of the most talented artists are now employed in illus-
trating Sabbath-school Books, Cards, Periodicals, and
all the delightful Sabbath-day Literature of the homes
where God is known.
Nor is this literature confined to Christian homes, but
is to be found exercising a hallowed influence in the
abodes of those who make no profession of religion,
introducing to the notice of parents and others the
things of " Him who came lowly to seek and to save/'
by means of their children, and God's blessing on their
Sabbath-school instruction.
No agology, therefore, is needed in adding this mite
to the heap ; much as has been done, and is now doing,
to stqre the young mind with religious truths, it falls far
short of what is accomplished by the incessant eflforts of
a worthless portion of the press in its weekly issues of
perverted truth and caricatures of humanity, sown broad-
cast like a blighting mildew over our land.
To assist in stemming this torrent of impure and
spurious literature, this little book has been called forth.
It professes to contain True Poetry, Genuine Literature,
and sound Eeligious Teaching, in a cheerful and attrac-
tive form, and if the young are encouraged to commit
IV.
r REPACK.
these pieces to memory and to mcite them at Sabbath-
school Anniversaries, and other Social Gatherings, in a
modest and becoming spirit, with fluency of utterance,
and with grammatical correctness — they may, by the
Divine blessing, be a means of impressing religious truth
on the minds, and carrying conviction to the hearts of some
careless hearers, of awakening others to a sense of the
beauties of holiness, and in general, lead to an extended
desire to promote a healthy, manly, and vigorous tone of
piety in our young country.
Toronto, Dec. 1, 1861
abbath-
^a, in a
:eraDce,
by the
IS truth
ofsome
of the
[tended
tone of
^
HINTS
ON
CORRECT READING AND SPEAKING.
»•<
DIALOGUE ON READING.
John.— A good reader will not only read so that one who
careftiUy listens may perhaps pick out the meaning, particu-
larly with a book before him, but so that even a careless
hearer shall be compelled to understand what he reads,
even though he has never heard it before.
t/ames.— That must be nice reading indeed. My teacher
often finds fault, and says he can scarcely understand a
sentence I read. I wish you could teach me how to read in
this manner.
John,— One of the first things you muse do, then, is, to
read without a tone.
James.— I do not read with a tone now, I did at first ;
but my teacher taught me better, and I have left it ofl;
John.— Very good. Another important thir-r is, to pro-
nounce your words so distinctly that they shai ..ot nin into
each other.
James.-l can understand this : but is this all that is ne-
cessary to good reading? Is there not something to be
minded about stops ?
John. — Yes; but unless you thus pronounce each word
distinctly, all the attention you may pay to stops will not
enable you to read well.
James.— I will endeavour to keep this in mind ; but I beg
you will tell me something about the stops. I cannot un-
derstand them. How many are there ?
^ John. — There are only six which now require your atten-
tion : of these the first four are the most common. The
comma, the semicolon, the colon, and the period, which
1*
VI.
8ATJBAT1I SCIIOOI. REOITER.
occur in almost every eentence. The othor two are the note
of interrogation and the note of admiration, whieu occur
more seldom.
James.— How long muHt I stop at each of these ?
JbAn.--The length of time you must stop at each is not
the only thing you are to regard. Much more depends on
the tone of voice with which you read them.
James. — Be so kind as to explain this a little.
John. — The comma is the smallest of all the stops, and re-
quires the shortest pause. But it requires you almost in-
variably to keep up your voice ?
James. — Why thus keep up my voice ?
John. — Because if you drop your voice, you conclude
your sentence, and turn your comma into a period.
James. — Then keeping up or dropping the voice seems to
make a greater alteration, than the time given to the stops.
John. — It does indeed. Did a person know how to suit
his voice exactly to the subject he reads, he would be easily
understood, without regarding any of the stops. And in-
deed without some idea of the management of the voice,
he will be quite unable to apply the stops rightly.
James. — I wish you would make me fully understand this.
I want to read well, but without more knowledge than I
now have, I see I shall never be able.
John. — If I attempt to do it, I fear I shall not succeed.
One of the best directions I can give you is, to mark with
care some one who speaks English well, and try both to
speak and to read exactly as he speaks.
James. — But still you will much assist me if you will tell
jae how to ^nttnage the voice.
John. — In managing the voice, there are three things to
be particularly regarded ; raising it, suspending it, and
dropping it. Of these three, suspending, or pausing, and
dropping it are required in the first four stops.
James. — Which are they ?
John. — I have already told you, the comma, the semi-
colon, the colon, and the period.
James.— Well ; how long must I stop at a comma ?
John.— While you can say " one. "
James.— ApA must I drop my voice?
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
VII.
%
John.— I hare already told you, not in the leaat. If you
do, you will make it either a colon or a period, stop as short
time as you may.
James. — Why ?
John. — P«cause the dropping of the voice almost invari-
ablj marks the ending of the sense.
James.~I thank you, John. I will try to mind this. What
is the next of the four stops ?
John. — The semicolon. At this you must generally stop
while you could say *' one, two." ^
James. — And how must I manage my voice here.
John. — This will depend in some degree on the connexion
of the sentence. In general, the voice must be kept sus-
pended hero as well as at a comma
James. — Why is this ? the stop is twice as long.
John. — Still however the sense is not complete, but de-
pends for its fiiU meaning on what follows. If you there-
fore drop your voice, you conclude the sentence in the
midst, and thus destroy the connexion.
James. — I understand you. Let us now come to the colon,
How long must I stop at a colon ?
John. — The time in which you can distinctly count three
will be sufficient, if you accompany it with the due falling
of the voice.
James. — But I have heard some say, I must drop my voice
at a period. Must I drop it at a colon too ?
Johii. — In reality there is but little difference between a
colon and a period us to the management of the voice. Both
show that the sense in, complete, but when a colon is used,
it allows the addition of some further idea in the same
sentence.
Jam^. — Then I suppose I need not ask particularly re-
specting a period. How long must I, however, stop at it?
John. — This must depend on what kind of subject you
are reading. If it be a lively one, stopping while you count
" four" is quite sufficient. If the subject be a grave one,
you must stop while you can count " six." There are many
things more which relate to good reading, but you could
scarcely understand them at present, ^d these few re-
marks, if you keep them in mind, and practice them, will
greaty improve your reading.
HiNI
Wha
The
Hap
Noa]
Hap
The
The
The
My]
Chri
The
Whc
The
The
The
The
Que
The
The
Rag
Lutl
We
Littl
The
Whc
The
Hyr
To^
The
The
Bel
Fait
My'
XIXw
Hea
Litt^
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Hints on Correct Reading and Speaking 5
What makes a Happy Old Age 11
The Sabbath Day 12
Happy is that People , 13
Noah's Carpentei's lii
Happy, Happy Sunday 14
The Child Colporteur 16
The Best Position 16
The Little Ship on the Waves 17
My Father 's at the Helm 18
Christmas Hymn 19
The Widow of Nain 19
Who is this, and What is His Name 20
The Destrucaon of Sennacherib 21
The Green Pastures 22
The Best Use of a Penny 23
The Irishman who Swallowed the Tract 23
Questions for Little Children 24
The Bible in the Heart 26
The Poor Widow 26
Ragged Tom, the Surety 28
Luther's Snow Song 29
We wont give up the Bible 32
Little Children Love One Another 33
The Sweetest Story 33
Who is the Good Shepherd 34
The Disappointment 36
Hymn of the Vaudois Mountaineers 37
To Yonder Side 38
The Reaper and th'j Flowers 40
The Pilgrims of Emmaus 41
Be Thankful for Your Mercies 42
Faith 43
My Three Boys 44
rnK/% OcAflinoal Qrk« . . , , 45
Heavenly Zion 47
Little Christian 48
X.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Grossing the Jordan 49
The Christian Mother and Child 61
Oh I Let Me Ring the Bell 62
^eak Gently 64
How Much are You :n Debt 65
We are Seven 66
The Orphan's Song 68
Sabbath Chimes 59
Summer Time 69
The Cherry Tree 60
Sowing and Reaping 61
Be Kind to the Loved Ones at Home 62
Ravelock : 63
Talents 64
The Lost Lamb 66
The Soldier out of Uniform 66
The Sea of Galilee 73
They Sing the Song of Moses 74
Evening Song of the Tyrolese Peasants 76
England's Defences 77
The Fisherman's Song 78
The German Watchman's Song 80
The Colporteur 81
Turn the Carpet 83
The Widow's Mite 84
The Heap of Hay 86
A Story about the Rain 89
The Stranger and His Friend 93
The Saviour 94
u
PAGE.
.... 49
.... 51
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.... 61
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.... 63
. ... 64
.... 65
.... 66
.... 73
.... 74
. ... 76
. ... 77
.... 78
. . . . 80
.... 81
.... 83
.... 84
.... 86
.... 89
.... 93
.... 94
THE
CANADIAN SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
WHAT MAKES A HAPPY OLD AGE.
'* You ARE OLD. Father Willlvm," the young man cried,
" The few locks that are left you are gray ;
You are halo, father William, a hearty old man ;
Now tell me the reason I pray."
" In the days of my youth," father William replied,
" I remember'd that youth would fly fast ;
And abused not my health and my vigour at firsts
That I never might need them at last."
" You are old, father William," the young man cried,
" And pleasures with youth pass away ;
And yet you lament not the days that are gone ;
Now tell me the reason I pray."
((
In the days of my youth," tiather William replied,
"I remTBmber'd that youth could not last ;
I thought of the future, whatever I did,
That I never might grieve for the past."
'* You are old, father William," the young man cried,
" And life must be hastening away ;
You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death ;
Now tell me the reason I pray."
" I am cheerful, young man," father William replied,
" Let the cause thy attention engage :
In the days of my youth I remember'd my God,
And He hath not forgotten my age ! " '
South RT.
12 SABBATH SCHOOL RKCITER.
THE SABBATH DAY.-A DIALOGUE. .
TOM PLAYFUL.
Though the Sabbath-bells are ringing,
Let us wander wild and free ;
While the flowers around are springing,
Come and play along with me.
HARRT THOUGHTFUL.
What, and mock the God who made us 1
Scorn what his commandments say !
God is mighty, and he bade us
Holy keep the Sabbath-day.
TOM.
Ay 1 but who would mourn and sorrow
When the sun smiles pleasantly ?
May it not be rain to-morrow ?
Come to-day and play with me.
HARRY.
Duty loudly bids me stay not ;
Bids me hear not what you say :
Life goes quickly, and I may not
Live another Sabbath-day.
TOM.
Thus to leave me, how provoking I
Duty is your constant plea :
But I know that you are joking ;
Home, one minute play with me.
HARRY.
Not a moment : grace is stronger
Than the snares the wicked lay ;
It were «yn to linger longer ;
I will keep the Sabbath-day.
TOM.
Haste away, then, since you dare not
Take your pleasure ;— bend your knee
When and where you will, I care not ;
You shall never play with me.
HARRY.
I can pardon bad behaviour,
^Nor will I neglect to pray
10 ve the Saviour,
the Sabbath-day.
AN0NTM0U8.
nK«* —
-A _,_
8ABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
13
HAPPY IS THAT PEOPLE WHOSE GOD IS THE
LORD.
I THANK the goodness and the gi'ace,
Which on my bh*th have smiled,
And made me, in these Christian days,
A free Canadian child.
I was not born, as thousands are,
Where Grod was never known, .
And taughc to pray a useless prayer
To blocks of wood or stone.
I was not born a little slave,
To labour in the sun.
And wish I were but in the grave,
And all my labour done.
I was not bom without a home.
Or in some broken shed ;
Like some poor children, taught to roam.
And beg their daily bread.
My God, I thank thee, who hast planned
A better lot for me 5
And placed me in this happy land.
And where I hear of thee.
NOAH'S CARPENTERS.
Two persons were leaving the city of Newton, and passing
along the water side to a beautiM valley, where one was
resident, and the other a guest. The taller, the elder of the
two, was actively engaged in a work of benevolence, in the
blessings of which the people at Newton and the students of
the neighbouring college shared. The work was too heavy
for him, and he had invited his young friend, an impenitent
lad, Henry, to aid him. Together they had spent many a
weary day in supplying the Christian labourers who co-
operated with them witli the choicest means of usefulness as
they crowded the depositories of truth. Exhausted by their
toils, they were now returning after a night^s repose. Hithei*-
to not a word had been addressed to the obliging ^outb
auuub uia nuui. xuc uwsiig ww^jsv ,,— ., — — i~~V
A Quaint but fittinjt manner was c aosen. " Henry," asked
o^^ what became of Noah's
the elder of the two,
2
you
14
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
carpenters?" *; Noah's carpenters," exclaimed Henrj, "I
didn't know that Noah had any carpenters."
" Certainly he must have had help in building one of the
largest and best proportioned ships ever put upon the
stocks. There must have been many ship cai-penters at work
to have constructed such a vessel. What became of thera
think you, when all the foundations of the great deep were
broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened? "
"What do you mean by so queer a question ? " " Never
mmd, just now. Please answer the inquiry. And you mav
also tell me what you would have done in that dreadful
hour when the storm came on, and all but the family of the
preacher were ready to be engulphed in those black
waters.
,^. " li^i'^'* know," said Henry, in a half trifling, half
' mddfr" °**"°®^' "perhaps I should have got on the
"That is human nature exactly, Henry. It would
; climb up some other way.' It would / get on the rudder '
irV^fP"f t «H.«^ort sightedness, rattier than go into the
ark of safety. It would^ ^ save itself by hanging on at the
hazard of being swept into the gulf oi despairfinstead of
being saved by the provision of infinite love."
" But I'll tell you plainly what I mean, Henrv bv Noah's
carpenters. You have kindly and genefoiS^' gfven 1^
your aid, day by day, in building an ark in Newton, by whi^h
many, I trust, will be saved. I feel grateM fo^r your
help. But I greatly fear that while others wUl be reS
ing m the fruits of our labours, you will brswept awly
in the storm of wrath which will by and by beat on thi
heads of those who enter not the ark of Jesus Chrkt
^^J'^^^^^^^oe will avail for ycu. 'Getting on the
rudder ' will not answer ; you must be in ChrTst, o? you
w?thot-de?aT' ' ^" ' '''^'°*'''' '°^ ^^^ *^ ^' ^"^
vnnTh ^ converaation never passed IVom the memory of the
£ «?fnT^* led Jo senous reflection, and ultimately to the ark
w.. ^K^- f '*^ * ^*J^^^ ^^ wide-spread public usefiilness
before him, he never forgot " Noah's Carpenters."
HAPPY, HAPPY SUNDAY.
Happy, happy Sunday,
'ihou day of peace and heaven,
'lis fit we should give one day
To Grod, who gives us seven.
SABBATH SCHOOL RKCITER.
Though Other days bring sadness,
Thou bid'st us cease to mourn ;
Then hail, thou day of gladness,
I welcome thy relum.
Happy, happy Sunday,
We will not toil to-day ;
But leaye to busy Monday,
Our work, and to^s, and play.
Thy face is ever smiling,
Thou fairest of tiie seven ;
They only speak of toiling,
But thou of rest and heaven.
Happy, happy Sunday,
The bell e'en seems to speak.
Give thy Creator one day,
Who gives thee all the week.
We'll leave our daily labour,
To pay our homage there j
And seek with friend and neighbour
The open house of prayer.
Happy, happy Sunday.
Thy holy hours I prize,
Thou art indeed heaven's own day,
The emblem of the skies.
May I, Lord, inherit ^
That rest when life is o^er,
And with each perfect spirit.
Adore thee ever more !
15
THE CHILD COLPORTEUR.
"Mamma, will von let me be a reoi Colporteur?" said
little Freddy, lookmg up at his mother.
« A real Colporteur, Freddy ? " ^ ^i:„«,
« Yes mamma, not a make-believe one, as I am sometimes
whenYpUy wSh Mary, but a real one to the boys m our
'*'^« Oh, but how can you get books, Freddy ? " asked bis
""^^^^ «.o«,ma T have ffot some, and Jane and Susan
will fflv7ra7a"few: and perhaps papa and you wili help me
lUe We caHpare some of our books, for we have read
them through and through."
16
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Hm mf ther thought it a good plan, and she consented he
ihould begin on the following Saturday. Oh how busy he
was, gpending all his spare time in selecting the most suita-
ble books, and in covering them neatly. So when Saturday
came he packed up his little books in a basket and set out
" Good-by, Mr. Colporteur," said his mother and sister.
Tliey took a kindly interest in his work, and his mother
Pray^ that God would bless him and his humble efforts.
When Freddy came back he was full of pleasure.—" O
mo^er," said he, " all the mothers were as pleased as they
ooidd be ; they all took a book, and where they could not
read, I stopt a little while and read to them."
Was not the mission of this child Colporteur a very beau-
™i one. Are there not in many book-cases and nurseries
little books cast on one side, not again to be read, that
might be lent to the poor and ragged children in the neigh-
bourhood, and thus carry to them the bread of life, and
water of life? '
THE BEST POSITION.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I lay me down to weep,
And ponder o'er the matchless grace
Displayed on Calvary's steep.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I lay me down to pray ;
Nor look in vain for blessing,
In God's appointed way.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I lay me down to hear
The welcome sound— "'Tis finished,"
So sweet to sinner's ear.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I lav me down to rest j
Here foolish doubts and anxiora fears
Are banished from my breast.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I lay me down to love ^
His blood the bond of union
'Twixt saints below, - above.
BABBATH 8011001. RECITRR.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I lay me down to feast
On him, my bleeding sacrifice,
My Altar and my Priest.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I lay me down to sing.
The grave has lost its victory.
And death its venomed stmg.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I'd lay me down to die ;
Till in the chariot of his love
He bears me up on high.
Then seize my harp of gold,
And tune it loud and long ;
The cross of Jesus crucified,
My everlasting song.
It
1
THE LITTLE SHIP ON THE WAVES.
«
A LITTLE 8HIP wus ou the sca.
It was a pretty sight ;
It sailed along so pleasantly,
And all was calm and bright.
The sun was smiling in the west.
The shore was near at hand ;
And those on board with hearts at rest.
Thought soon to reach the land.
When lo ! a stonn began to rise.
The wind grew loud and strong ;
It blew the clouds across the skies.
It rolled the waves along.
Oh ! how that little ship was tossed ;
It filled with water fast ;
It seemed as though it would be lost,
And must go down at last !
And all, but one, were sore afraid
nf Qinlrino- in th« dfiGD :
His head was on a pillow laid.
And he was fast asleep.
4/f'
IB SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Master! we perish— Master ! save,
They cried, — their Master heard ;
He rose, rebuked the wind and wave,
And still 'd them with a word.
He to the storm says, " Peace -be still,''
The raging billows cease ;
The mighty winds obey his will,
And all are hushed to peace.
They greatly wondered ! so may we,
And ask, as well as they.
Who could this glorious person be,
AVhom winds and waves obey ?
Oh ! well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend ;
Whose care of those who trust his word,
Will never, never end.
D. A. T.
MY FATHER'S AT THE HELM.
'TwAS when the sea, with awful roar,
A little, bark assailed.
And pallid fear's distracted power
O'er each on board prevailed.
Save one — the captain's darling child.
Who steadfast viewed the storm.
And cheerful with composure smiled
At danger's threatening form.
" Why sporting thus," a seaman cried,
" While terrors overwhelm ? "
" Why yield to fear? " the child replied,
" My father's at the helm ! "
Christian ! from him be daily taught
To check thy groundless fear ;
Think on the wonders he has wrought ;
Jehovah's ever near.
SABBATH acnOOI. RFOITER.
CHRISTMAS HYMN.
How blessed waa the day
When Christ appeared on earth I
Angels and men together join
To hail the Saviour's birth.
How kindly he became
A little child like me ;
A child of poor and lowly name,
The Saviour deigned to be.
The stable was his room,
The manger was his bed ;
The birthplace of the King of Kmgs
Was where the oxen fed.
Hail, gracious, heavenly Prince !
To thee let children fly ;
And on thy constant providence
Oh ! may we all rely.
Jesus will take the young
Under his special care ;
And he will keep their youthful days
From every hurtful snare.
He knows their tender frame,
Nor will their youth contemn ;
For he a little child became,
To love and pity them.
Nor does he now torget
His youthful days on earth ;
Nor should we ever cease to praise
For the Redeemer's birth.
19
THE WIDOW OF NAIN.
Slow from the darkened city's gates
Forth came a funeral train ;
It was a mother's only son,
A widowed one's of Nain.
/M. I v«44.^«. ?o i^\a TinaA Sfta brine.
And deep, deep is its flow ;
But bitterer are a mother's tears,
Deeper a mother's woe.
One only U<»p« she had . a earth,
Th'it lUily hope is fled ;
In v»ln the HUP now shines for her,—
Her Ik -iialiful k dead.
The flower ilmi fides in winter's wind
In spring agnin v vill bior in :
But what can chc^er tlio nioin'ner'a lot,
Whose heart is in the tomb ?
The Lord drew near with pitying gaze,
He saw the sorrowing one ;
" Weep not," he said ; and from the dead
Restored to life her son.
Now Nain was glad, and songs of joy
Rang all the city round ;
Our dead one is alive again.
Our lost one— he is foimd !
Pexcilijngs ln rALt;sTi\K.
WHO IS THIS, AND WHAT IS HIS NAME ?
El ItHTeen hundred years ayo, there appeared in the East
a child such as the woi:ld has never seen either before or
since. In outer form and appearance he was like other
children ; but in his soul within he was pure as an angel in
heaven. He was born in a stable ; but his birth was an-
nounced by angels, and a star guided a company of wise
men to the manger which was his cradle.
When about thirty yoars of age, he went forth among his
countrymen, to teach them the way to be good and happy.
He led so holy a life, thu' wicked men stood in awe, and
were afraid of him ; he taught so many holy and heavenly
things, that good men said he was a prophet ; and the works
he did were so marvellous, that all men were astonished at
them. He had power to heal all manner of sickness and
disease. He often gave sj'^bt to the blind, and hearing to
the deaf, and speech to the mb He could calm the stormy
sea and the raging winu l^> urely saying, "Peace, be
still!-' And three several tii^ % "^'A he brmg back to life
those who were dead ;— on<'?.\ v; tlo case o* . iiiaiden newly
dead ; again, in the case of a youili, the only son of a widow,
whom his iriends were caiTyini? to his burial ; and yet again,
in the case of a man who had lain three days in the grave.
This mighty power, too. he never used except for the pur-
BABUATII SC'IIOOI. RKCITKll.
91
P08U of doing good. He reliiHcd t^ cull down lue from
heavcMi to doatroy wicked raeii, thougii urged by some of his
friends to do so. But never did he refuse to perform an act
cfkindnevr. He went about doing good.
Yet though thus good and kind, he had many eneraiefi
wlio hated him, and evil-entreated him. Some ot thf>
chief men of the country were jealous ot him ; some
were afraid of him; others said he was mad; and all
ioined together to plot his d.nitli. And at last these wicked
men previiiled. Thev seized h'la ))y force, and dragged him
before the governor, i,retending that he was a blasphemer,
and a stirrer up of tlie p< ople. And this unjust governor,
to please those v.i.ked men, condemned him to du', and had
him put to the Litter and shameful death of the cross.
But the triumph of his enemies was short. Before he had
lain three days in the tomb, he rose again from the dead, and
shewed himself alive to many. And at the end of forty days,
whilst he was in the act of lifting up hi^' hnnds and blessing
his friends, he was parted from tlum, and carried up into
heaven. Since then he has never been seen on eartb, except
bv some good men in dreams and visions. But it is certain
that he still lives in heaven, and takes an inteivst m the
things done here on earth. From age to age, too, his friends
have beeivever more iocreivsing ; so that they are now a
multitude which no man can number. They love him, though
they see him not ; they pray to him, and sing hymns to him;
they set apart every week a day to his honour ; tliey count
it their chief glory to walk in his stf'ps, and suffeT for his
sake : and they look onward with joylul hope to the time
when he shall return from heaven with power and great
glory, to put his enemies to everlasting shame, and to take
themselves to dwell with him m eternal glory.
Who is this, and what is his name ?
THE DESTRUCTION OF SENNACHERIB.
TiiK Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,
And his cohorts were gleaming in purpl' and gold ;
And the sheen of their speai-s was like stars on the sea,
When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.
Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,
That host with their banners at sunset were seer :
Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown.
That host on the morrow lay witherM and strown.
2*
22
KABBATII POITOOL RECITER.
For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,
Ana breathed in the face of the foe as he passed ;
And the eyes of the sleepers wax'd deadly and chill,
And their hearts but once heav'd, and for ever grew still !
And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,
But through it there roU'd not the breath of his pride ;
And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,
And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.
And there lay the rider distorted and pale.
With the dew on his brow and the rust on his mail ;
And the tents were all silent, the banners alone.
The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.
And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,
And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal ;
And the might of the Geptile, unsmoto by the sword,
Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord !
THE GREEN PxVSTURES.
1 WALKED in a field of fresh clover this morn.
Where lambs played so merrily under the trees,
Or rubbed their soft coats on a naked old thorn,
Or nibbled the clover, ov rested at ease.
And under the hedge ran a clear water-brook.
To drink from, when thirsty, or weary with play ;
So gay did the daisies and buttercups look.
That I thought little lambs must be happy all day.
And when I remember the beautiful psalm.
That tells about Christ and his pastures so green ;
1 know he is willing to make me his lamb,
And happier far than the lambs I have seen.
If I drink of the waters, so peaceful and still.
That flow in his field, I forever shall live ;
If I love him, and seek his commands to fulfil,
A place in his sheepfold to me he will give.
'r]ij> lambs are at peace in the fields when they play,
The long summer's day in contentment they spend
Cut happier I, if in God's holy way,
I trv lb walk always, with Christ for my friend.
■
■
SAUBATII SCHOOL RECITEU. ^^
THE BEST USE OF A PENNY.
•^.roui I) YOU wish to be told the best use of a penny,
?ni tel TO r way that is better than any ;
Not on Jpples o/cakes, or playthings to spend it,
Rnt over the seas to the heathen to send it.
Come listen to me, and I'll tell, if yon please,
Of someToor little children, far over the seas.
iS% ^^^^^^ ^icK^^e^^ in heaven,
^t^^trw^now toil of such good things as these
To the poor little heathen, far over the seas?
Poor children in this ^^^^^ '^J^jtVerJ"^^^^^^^ ^ew, and
They have schools every day, wheie tney suit,,
Their dmrch too, on Sunday, and pastor to teach,
How thrtme way to heaven thi^gh Jesus to reach.
Yet sad to remember, there are few of these
For the poor little heathen far over the seas.
Poor blacks have few schools to learn reading and singing,
N^Sunda^^^^^^ them with its cheerful bell ringmg :
And mosUittle blacks have no^ Bible to read
Poor little black children, y?,^'!^f^«^^,;^^Sf ease
But one penny each week will buy Bibles witn caht,
For ?he poor little heathen, far over the seas.
r\^^ ! ihink then of this, when a penny is given,
" I ca^ Selp some poor Wack on Ms way homo to heaven.'
Then give ?t to Jesns, and he ^i\\ approve,
Nor , corn e'en a mite, if 'tis offered m love.
And oh "when hi praVer you to Wm "end your knee.,.
Remember your brethren, far over the seas.
' ' Lady Wriotiiesley Uissm..
-TUP TRTSHMAN WHO SWALLOWED THE TRACT,
InD HOW HE PAID FOR A BIBLE.
A Missionary lodged one night in the house of a gent^-
^ .,„ ^-u^ ^o""+pip9 "f TCerrv. in Ireland. In tne
moK"as heVoSi'bSe Ws'host: looking over the wild
TdTLiM country, they saw a shepherd tending some
24
RABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
sheep at a little distance. The gentleman pointed him out
to the notice of the missionary. " There is Peter/' said he,
" one of the shrewdest men in the district.' ' Then the mis-
sionary went up to him, entered into conversation, and gave
him a tract in Irish. A few weeks after, he and Peter met
again. '• I've smiUowed the tract," said the latter. " If I
give you an Irish Bible, will you swallow that? " " I won't
be indebted to you for it, but I"ll buy it." '• Well, I've got
two or three.'" " What is the price ? " " The price I ask
is this ; when God shall strike the light and love of it in
your heart, that you will teach six men like youi'self to love
the Bible." And Peter took it. Some time after an English
gentleman, accompanied by the missionary, started to cross
the mountains. Just before them was Peter, " Oc*h," said
he, " but y'r reverence is welcome so early." " Why,
Peter, what are you doing here ? " '• Sure, I'm doing hon-
estly ; I'm paying for the book,'' and on the top of the
mountain, Avhere, by this time it was broad daylight, he led
me to a haystack, beiiind which were six Roman Catholic
men, away from the eye of the Priest, waiting for Peter to
teach them to read the Word of God !
Irish and English boys — do you know and love God's
Word—then persuade other little boys and girls to lovo it
too.
QUESTIONS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.
LirrL?: childrex, do you pray,
Call on God from day to day ?
])b you pray that God may keep.
And protect you where you sleep ?
Do you in the morning pray,
(xod to bless you through tho day ?
Little cliildreu time should spare,
Evej-y day for humble i)ray(;r.
Little children, do you praise.
And your humble voices raise,
Unto him in whom each lives.
And who all your blessings gives ?
Do you praise him for yoiu* food ?
For your clothes, and all that's good ?
For his sweet redeeming grnce ?
For bis love to all our race ?
t
m>
I
that
I wo
treaf
that
It is
the I
esca
teac
J
anv
God
r
whc
SABBATH fit^llOOL RRO^TER.
Little children, have you read,
How the blessed Saviour bled.
That he might your souls restore
Unto joys for evermor<? ?
How he did ascend on high 'r
How he lives above the sky ?
How he waits your souls to bless.
With the riches of his grace ?
Little children, do you love
Christ who dwells in heaven above ?
Do you love his precious book ?
Do you in it daily look ?
Do you love your parents dear ?
Teachers do you love to hear ?
Little children, you must love,
All below and all above.
Little children, you must die ;—
To your only refuge fly.
If you wish to die in peace,
O, then, seek the Saviour s grace ;
This will teach you how to die,
This will raise to heaven on high,
This will make you ever live,
This will crowns iiiunortal give!
25
THK BIBLE IN THE HEART.
1 HAVE often heard children repeat the beautU'iil hymn
that begins, ,. . ,
" H )ly Bible ! bojk .hvme !
Precious treasure, tUcju art mino I
I wonder how many of them really felt what they said. A
trla^ure is something that is worth a great dea , something
that we take great care of because we value it very much.
It is in this way we should look upon t.he Bible It is
the greatest treasure any one can have, for it tellsus how ta
escape from hell ; how to find pai-don for our s is ; and
teaches us to love God. and delight in doing his will.
In some countries the people are not allowed to have
any Bibles. The priests will not let them read the woid.ot
God, and if the priests lind a Bible they burn it.
There was a little boy living in one of these countries
who had somehow got a Bible. He was very fond ot it,
26
SABBATH 8(!H00L RECITER.
kept it With him wherever he went, and when he had a mo-
ment of spare time he would open it, and read again and
again the story of the Saviour's love for sinners.
He had read it so often that he knew a great part of it
^ heart. At last the priest found that Larry had a Bible.
He went to him, and made him give it up. "I am going to
burn it ! " said the priest. So he threw it into the fire, and
watched until every leaf was blackened and withered by
the flames. Then he turned to Larry, and saw that he was
smiling.
"What are you smiling at?"' he asked. "Because,-
said the boy, " I was thinking that you might burn my
Bible, but you cannot burn the part of it that is laid up in
my heart ! " *^
^ Do you love the Bible as Larry did ? Do you lay it^'up
m your heart? or when you havu read it, do you go away
and forget it all ? ' j b j
The Bible is not like any other book. It is God's own
word. If we had not the Bible we should not know any-
thmg about God or the blessed Saviour. It is written to
teach us what God wishes us to do, and we should be very
careftil not to do anything which the Bible tells us is wrong.
I must tell you a story about a Chinese boy who had been
taught to read the Bible in a school kept by missionaries.
He had gone home to spend the holidays, and when he re-
turned the missionary said to hira, '• Did you go to the tem-
ple with your father?" for his fiither was a heathen, and
prayed to idols.
" No," said the boy,- " I did not go."
" But you went last year," said the missionary, " who
told you not to go this time ? "
The little Chinese took out his Bible, and pressing it to
his breast, said, " I didn't understand this when I went to
the temple last year."
THE POOR WIDOW.
I KNEW a widow, very poor,
Who four small children had,
The oldest was but six years old,
A gentle modest lad.
And very hard this widow toiled.
To feed her children four ;
A noble heart the mother had,
Though she was very poor.
.
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
To labour she would leave her home,
For children must be fed ;
And glad was she, when she could buy
A shilling's worth of bread.
And this was all the children had
On any day to eat ;
They drank their water, ate their bread,
But never tasted meat.
One day, when snow was falling fiist,
And piercing was the air,
I thought that I would go and see
How these poor children were.
Ere long I reached their cheerless home ^
'Twas searched by every breeze.
When going in— the eldest child
I saw upon his knees,
I paused to listen to the boy ;
He never raised his head,
But still went on and said, " Give us
This day our dally bread."
. 1 waited till the child liad done,
Still listening as ho prayed ;
And when he rose. I asked why
That prayer he then had said.
*' Why, Sir," he said, " this morning when
My mother went away.
She wept, because she said slio had
No bread for us to-day.
'' She said we children now must starve.
Our father being dead ;
And then I told her not to cry.
For I would get some bread.
'' Our Father, Sir, the prayer begins,
Which made me think that he.
As we have no kind father here,
Would our kind father be.
"And then you know. Sir, that the prayer
Asks God for bread each day ;
So, in the corner. Sir, I went,
And that's what made me pray."
27
28
SABBATH .SCHOOL RECITKil.
I quickly left that wretched room,
And went with fleeting feet,
And very soon was back afraia
With food enough to eat."
" I thought God heard me,*" said the boy,
I answered with a nod ;
1 could not speak, but much I thought
Ofthat boy's faith in God.
RAGGKD TOM TlIK SLRETV.
„ 2^^\ Sabbath afternoon, a big boy stood at the door of
the babbath .School. He had been so bad that he had been
turned out of school the Sabbath before. His father and
mother brought him and begged that he might be received
in agam. The superintendent said, '' \Vv should be glad to
do him good, but we are afraid he will ruin all the other
children. It is very bad for a school when a big boy sets a
wicked example." "^ ^j -oia ct
^nZ^lj ^"r \^ '' '' ''-'^^ ^'""y ^^ school," said the parents,
^n n w i'%*^" ^r'^f 'y'^**''- '^* **'^'»^' 5 ^'^' >vill be lost if you
do not take him back. •
We could take him back, if we could secure his good
behaviour. I wiirsee. thought the superintendent.
bo he stept back into the school, and rane- the bell fin-
silence, All listened while he saidl " That Ly want:, ti
come into the school again, but we cannot take him back
without making sure of his good behaviour. Will any one
be surety for him ? j ^ ^^
Ti.."^ P-f.l ^''^]''^''''\ . 'l^l"' ^'l^^^'i- l»oys shook their head**.
They said they knew him too well. The others did not caiX'
for him. But one little boy pitied the big bad boy, and was
very sorry no one would be surety. The little boy went by
he name of -Ragged Tom." It was not his fault tha he
was ragged, for his mother was very poor. The superin!
willl'Sr.'""'' ^"' ''^^^' '""'"' ^^ •"'^"^* P^^^^^' ^'^^
^ '' You, Tom, a little bny like you. Do vou kno\r what
is meant by being a suret v , T(.ui V *•
"Yes, SiiN if you pletWe ; it ukmms th;d when he is a bad
boy I am to be punished for it."
-And are you willing to be pimished fbrthat big boy? "
\ es, Sir, if he's ba<l again." ^
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
29
" Then come in," said the superintendent, looking to the
door ; and the big boy with a downcast face walked across
the floor. He was thinking as he walked, " I know I'm a
bad boy, but Fm not so bad as that ! I'll never let that
little fellow be punished for me — no never." God had
graciously put that thought into the big boy's mind. He
was helping Tom as a surety.
As Ihe children were leaving school the superinten-
dent saw the big boy and little Tom walking away together.
He said to himself, "I am ah-aid that boy will do Tom
harm. I must go and look after them."
When he reached the cottage where Tom lived, he said
to his mother, " where is your son Tom ? ''
" Oh, he's just gone up stairs with a great boy ho
brought in with him. I don't know what they are doing."
" May I go up ? "
" Oh, yes. Sir."
The superintendent went slowly and quietly up stairs,
and as he reached the top he could see through the door
that Tom and the boy were kneeling together. He soon
heard Tom's voice, saying, " 0, Lord, make this boy that
has been the worst boy in the scliool, O Lord, make him
the best."
The superintendent knelt down by Tom's sido. and they
all prayed together.
God heard them ; and he made the big boy to become
one of the best boys in the school. And raised up friends
for " Ragged Tom," who put him to school, and after that
sent him to college, so that at length he went as a mi.-?siontuy
to the heathen.
LUTHER'S SNOW-SONG.
It was a cold dark night— the wind was blowing hard, and
the snow was fiiUing fast. It was a night to make the shop-
keepers in a little town of Germany close their doors, and
put up their shutters, and to make them feel thankful they
had a home to shelter them, and that they could sit round
their cheerful fire. On this night a worthy citizen, Conrad,
who loved to sit at home better than to spend his time and
his money at the tavern, was sitting playing his flute, while
his good vvlfe Ursula busied herself in preparing their
supper. The good man was very fond of music, his flute
was a source of great enjoyment to him. He was playing
30
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Foxes to their holes have ffone
Every bird into his nest ; '
iiut I wander here alone,
And for me their is no rest.
being tried in such weatto " "^ ^ " "'""''* "« ^P^''^" "y
.« oplnthe ioor a'Sd Jee^? °' » '=''"''•" »'" ■>- -'^ ! " let
fbr the sake of hej'orioTone '"''' '"*^ °" ""^ ™^«"^
to « ixtd^iLlr^riS^^^^ ' -■"> --
to yo^X^\A"r^^^^^^^ «o.l •>« ^acions
»ban?^rwi?hmj}!.tghT"'"""* ""« «»°^ citizen, "you
ThI heJt o?7hf "■'' ''^''^' ""^ ^"'"J' " Thanlf God."
child'amf hl^^^^-ShTow soSo"" ""'"V"' «"' P^o^
should recover Soon horpffnvl™ ™' '^'^"'» *»' ^e
opened his eyes "'^'^ ™^ successfiil, and he
•'To''!fear'!;hn r> '■''''*«'''"'« tWs heaven ?"
a.e |?h IZr^fi: ^^T^^ Iff^^T^^ " ''- you
been u e"?,' o'^gaT ^^ 'S, t V^ P«-- »^ "-«
father in his work" The ohiu ^% T"^' *"'' *» '"''P my
tear God and wt an^m,^ m ^i*** ''^^Iv'?"*'"'" !<"'« an!
wanted to be aTies? and if h»° '""^"""S for him. He
monastery, he Kid be Suite hir*' T' ""'^ ""«'! '" »
and sungf knd lived on thimr,„.?F/- ^^ .^""d^ed about
that day he had larned noth?„„?^,."ltP*T'l^"-^<' '"'>'. '"'"
was so faint and so tovd mf i- *,*5°"85'''« must die, he
fected by WsTim^Ie'L^ti^^ ^'^^1'^?^. ^.^P. 9l"'«; af-
.m.ch. but sent him to bedin a ^i/m'pr^par'^d Itl C. ""'
8ABBATII SCHOOL RECITER.
9h
Before he lay down he knelt before his crucifix to pray.
When he was asleep, Ursula and her husband looked in
upon him. He had such a pleasant smile they were pleased
thej had given him shelter, and determined he should re-
mam with them.
They little thought who that child was. Though now he
was a street singer, and prayed before a crucifix, he would
rise to be the champion for the truth.
This poor child was Martin Luther. By his new friends
he was sent to a school, afterwards he was sent to a monas-
tery, and there he found an old Bible. He read it, and soon
began to preach the great truths contained therein. Truths
that made the papal power tremble, that freed the souls of
men from priestcraft, and caiTied light into the regions of
darkness and death.
The whole of the hymn Martin sung in the streets that
memorable evening was—
Lord of heaven, lone and sad,
I would lift ray heart to thee ;
Pilgrim in a foreign land,
Gracious Father, look on me ;
I shall neither faint nor die.
While I walk beneath thine eye.
I will stajr my faith on thee,
And will never fear to tread
Where the Saviour master leads ;
He will give me daily bread ;
Christ was hungry, Christ was poor j
He will feed me from his store.
Foxes to their holes have gone,
Every bird into its nest 5
But I wander here alone,
And for me there is no rest ;
Yet I neither faint nor fear,
For the Saviour Christ is here.
If I live, he'll be with me ;
If I die to him I go ;
He'll not leave me, I will trust him.
And my heart no fear shall know ;
Sin onrl artvvn^xr T
J.1J itfitvx. i7r_ri i r/ tt ^.
For on Jesus I rely.
defy,
32
SABUATH »Cim>{, RKCITKR.
WE WON'T GIVE UP THE BIIJLM.
We won't give up the Bible,
God's holy book of tnith :
The blessed staff of hoary age
The guide of early youlh:
J he lamp that sheds a glorious light
Un— else a dreary road !
The voice that speaks the Savioiir-s love
And leads us home to God.
Wo won't give up the Bible •
For it alone can tell '
The way to save our ruined t^ouls
From being sent to hell ;
And it alone can tell us how
We can have hopes of heaven,
That througu a Saviour's precious blood
Our sms may be forgiven.
We won't give up the Bible,
Nor hoed the craftv tongue
That would this treasure take away—
le evd ones, begone ;
For you would fain condemn our minds
To gloom of mortal night :
but we dfcfy your baneful power.
And '• God defend the right."
We won't give up the Bible :—
But could you force away
. That which as our life-blood 's dear.
• The news which we have learnt while young
We 11 follow all our days ; ' *'
And these engraven on our hearts
Ye never can erase.''
We won't give up the Bible ;
We 11 shout it far and wide,
until the echo shall be heard
Beyond the rolling tide ;
Irul f^4^k°^^^ *^^* we, though young,
Withstand your treacherous art :
And tiiat from God's own sacred word
*> in never, never part.
I
RABBATII 801I0OL RECITER. 33
*IJTTLB CHILDREN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER/'
A LITTLE girl with a happy look,
Sat closely reading a ponderous book,
All bound with velvet, and edged with gold,
And its weight was more than the child could bold ;
Yet dearly she loved to ponder it o'er,
And every day she prized it more ;
For it said — and she looked at her smiling mother —
It said, " Little children, love one another."
She thought it was beautiful in the book,
And the lesson home to her heart she took ;
She walked on her way with a trusting grace,
Ai.d a dove-like look in her meek young face,
Wiidi said, just as plain as words could say,
The holy Bible I must obey 5
So mamma, I'll be kind to my darling brother,
For " Little children must love one another."
I'm sorry he's naughty, and will not play.
Yet I'll love him still, for I think the way
To make him kind and gentle to me,
Will be better shown if I let him see,
I strive to do what I think is right ;
And thus when we kneel in prayer to-night,
I will clasp my arms around my brother
And say, *' Little children, love one another."
The little girl did as her Bible taught.
And pleasant indeed was the change it wrought ;
For the boy looked up in glad surprise,
To meet the light of her loving eyes ;
His heart was full, he could not speak.
And he pressed a kiss on his sister's cheek ;
And God looked down on the happy mother,
Whose " little children loved each other."
THE SWEETEST STORY.
I THINK when I read that sweet story of old,
"^h^ri .Tpai|B vfioa here A.Tnnng mftfl.
How he called little children as lambs to his fold,
I should like to have been with them then ;
u
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
I Wish that his hands had been placed on my head
That his arms had been thrown around me, '
" T mH mf/'* ^'''''' '^^"^ ^'^ *^"^d ^«ok, when he said
"Let the little ones come unto me." "'^ oaiu,
If Jesus were here, and would smile on my somr
When to love Him, and praise Him I tried ^'
With sweetest hosannas Td join in the throng
A n'^'^^ r"^\P''^l' ?y«®^^ «*««« to his side.
And If they should chide me or send me away
A n/rf^u^l^^ *° ^'^ sheltering knee ; ^'
" T ?l®"v^?™ ^^ ^<^i*<^s he himself.
Liet tne little one come unto me."
' once did say,
let still to his footstool in prayer I may so
A ^J'i ?^? ^^'' » «hare of his love ; ^ ^ '
And If I thus earnestly seek him below,
T^^wll ®®® ^}^ ^"^ ^^^^ him above,
In that beautiful place he has gone to prepare
For all who are washed and forgiven
And many dear children are gathering there,
"For of such is the kingdom of Heaven."
But thousands and thousands who wander and fall
T ^^^'^fi hf^'i ^^ *^^* h^^^^nly home ; ''"'
Jn'i^i^'H ^^^V" *^°«w there is roU for them all
T ,^°d that J«8U8 has bid them to come ; '
Th! f J *^^ .1?'? P^.**^^t glorious time.
The fairest, the brightest and best.
When the dear little children of eve^y clime
Shall crowd to his arms to be blest
WHO IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD?
"How pretty the fields are, mother ? How olea^nt if ,*«
seem astaU a^I am '^"'^ skipping abo'ut! ^The^'
Anna.~Bm, mother, »— — ^ '- - -_,.--— ©•
hand, as he is a spirit ?
how
can God be said to'^open his
ii-:.J-a— asB;
SABIUTII SCHOOL RECITll.
m
Mother. — The word i8 used that we may better un-
derstand what is meant. Do you remember our visit to the
farm-yard yesterday morning ?
Anna. — Yes. and how the farmer's wife scattered the
handfuls of grain that she had in her upron, and how the
fowls ran after her.
Mother. — In the same manner we are told the eyes of all
wait upon God, who giveth them their portion in due season.
Anna. — Look, mother, at the lambs in that little field
where Stephen the shepherd boy has just led them. How
green the grass is, and how clear the stream of water that
flows through it. And Stephen seems very kind to the poor
little things. He is just now carrying in his arms a
little lamb that was not able to walk with the rest. And
now he is putting it down. How careful he is of it !
Mother.— A shepherd has to be careful and tender of all
his flock, and sometimes to deny himself for their sakes.
Jacob did so when he was feeding his uncle Laban's sheep.
He said, " In the day-time the drought consumed me, and
the fropt by night ; and my sleep departed from mineeyes."
Anna. — In those countries where Jacob was the wild
beasts often devour the sheep, do they not?
Mother.— Yes, my dear child, this often happens.
Anna.— In the 10th chapter of John, that I read
the other day, Jesus speaks of himself as the good shepherd,
but he never kept sheep, did he, as David did before he was
king?
Moiher.—Do you recollect what happened to David
once, when he was keeping his father's sheep?
Anna.—0, yes, mother, I am very fond of that story.
Mother.— ^Yhy do you like it so much ?
-4nwa.— Because David spoke of it to Saul just before he
went to kill Goliath, " the Lord that delivered me out of the
paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will de-
liver me out of the hand of the Philistine."
Mother.— And David found that God took care of him all
the rest of his life.
Anna.— Yes, mother ; for he was often in great danger,
and I should think would have been killed if God had not
watched over him just as he watched over sheep.
Mother.— Yes, he was a shepherd over his sheep, but the
" know in the 23rd Psalm he
I shall not want." " I
111 J luu ullu ouui i/UCjf \;uiiii01t ni\j.
Anna.—i^ow. mother, I understand what Christ meant
m
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
when he said, *' I am the good Shepherd, the good Shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep," I suppose people who love
and obey him are his sheep ?
Mother.— Yes, he himself says, "Afy sheep hear my
voice, I know them, and they tollow me.' Do you know
what he has done for them ?
Anna.— Yes, he laid down his life for them. Mother,
how kind and good the Saviour is t how happy his sheep
must be I
Mother. — Is he the Shepherd of grown up persons only ?
Anna.~0, no, mother, for he said, " Suffer little children
to come to me and forbid them not, for of such is the
kingdom of heaven." I should like to be one of his lambs.
Mother. -Yrsij to him to make you one. He himself
says, " Ask and ye shall receive— seek and ye shall find-
knock and it shall be opened to you."
We must go in now, because we have many things to
attend to— and the sheep and lambs of Christ must not
neglect any of their duties, whatever they are.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT.
The snow had been falling all the evening ; and William
went to bed full of the thought of the grand times he should
have to-morrow. He lay awake a good while thinking about
the sliding and the snowballing ; and after he fell asleep he
kicked off the bed-clothes— dreaming that he was in a snow-
bank. When his mother came to see him,— which she
always did before she went to bed,— he cried out in his
sleep, " It is not fair to pelt me when I am down."
Alas for William's bright visions ! In the course of the
night the snow-storm turned to rain ; and in the morning
every flake had gone. Poor William was quite out of humour
about it, and came into the breakfast-room looking very
cross indeed.
" What is the matter, William ? " said his mothel-.
" I say it is too bad," exclaimed he, pouting.
" What is too bad, William ? "
" Why, the snow is all gone 1 " and he looked up as if
he had a good mind to cry.
" I am sorry for your disappointment," said his mother :
winter is over. And now, to 45heer you a little, I will tell
you a story."
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
37
>(.l Shepherd
le who love
) hear my
• you know
n. Mother,
J his sheep
rsons only ?
tie children
uch is the
f his lambs.
He himself
shall find —
y things to
t must not
nd William
B he should
iking about
1 asleep he
in a snow-
which she
out in hie
•
urse of the
e morning
of humour
oking very
he>.
;d up as if
is mother ;
rms before
I will tell
William's faco brightonod soraowhat at the sound of a
story ; and the rest of the children also gathered round to
listen to their mother.
" You have heard, children, of the shepherd of Salisbury
Plain, a ^ery poor, but a very good man. One day when
he was tending his sheep, a gentleman rode up and said,
' Friend, what do you think the weather will be to-morrow ? '
' Why,' said the old man, * it will be just such weather as
pleases me.' The gentleman was surprised that he shoiild
answer him so, and asked him what he meant. ' I mean, sir,'
said the old man, * that it will be just such weather as pleases
God : and whatever pleases God pleases me. ' "
"What a good old' man!" exclaimed several of the
children. William did not speak ; but he looked as if he
thought the story was meant for him.
HYMN OF THE VAUDOIS MOUNTAINEERS IN
TIMES OF PERSECUTION.
" Thanks be lo God for the mountains \>'—HowiWs Booh of tlie Seasons'
Foil the strength of the hills we bless thee.
Our God, our fathers' God !
Thou hast made thy children mighty.
By the touch of the mountain sod.
Thou hast fix'd our ark of refuge,
Where the spoiler's foot ne'er trod ;
For the strength of the hills we bless thee,
Our God, our fathers' God !
We are watchers of a beacon
Whose light must never die ;
We are guardians of an altar
'Midst the silence of the sky :
The rocks yield founts of courage,
Struck forth as by thy rod ;
For the strength of the hills we bless thee,
Our God, our fathers' God I
For the dark resounding caverns.
Where thy still, small voice is heard ;
For the strong pines of the forests.
That by thy breath are stirr'd 5
For the storms, on whose free pinions
Thy spirit walks abroad ;
For the strength of the hills we bless thee,
Our God, our fathers' God 1
3
38
SABBATH SCHOOL REOITKR.
The royal eagle daueth
On his quarry from the heights, ^
And the stag that knows no master
Seeks there his wild delights :
But we, for thy communion,
Have sought the mountain sod ;
For the strength of the hills we bless thee
Our God, our fathers' God !
The banner of the chieftain
Far, far below us waves ;
The war-horse of the spearman
Cannot reach our lofty caves ;
Thy dark clouds wrap the threshold
Of freedom's last abode ;
For the strength of the hills we bless thee,
Our God, our fathers' God !
For the shadow of thy presence,
Round our camp of rock outspread,
For the stern defiles of battle.
Bearing record of our dead ;
For the snows and for the torrents.
For the free heart's burial sod ;
For the strength of the hills we bless thee,
Our God. our fathers' God!
Hemans.
TO YONDER SIDE.
Luke viii. 22-26.
Behind the hills of Naphtali
The sun went slowly down,
Leaving on mountain, tower, and tree,
A tinge of golden brown.
The cooling breath of evening woke
The waves of Galilee,
Till on the shore the waters broke
In softest melody.
"Now launch the bark.'' the «.ov5our cried
The chosen twelve stood by, '
*' And let us cross to yonder side.
Where the hills are steep and high."
SABBATH SCIIOOIi RECITER.
Gently the bark o'er the water creeps,
While the swelling sail they spread,
And the weary Saviour gently sleeps
With a pillow 'neath his head.
On downy bed the world seeks rest-
Sleep flies the guilty eye —
But he who leans on the Father's breast
May Bleep when storms are nigh.
But soon the lowering sky grew dui'k
O'er Bashan's rocky brow —
The storm rushed down upon the bark,
And waves dashed o'er the prow.
The pale disciples trembling spake,
AVhile yawned the watery grave,
" We perish, master — muster, wake —
Carest thou not to save ? ''
Calmly he rose with sovereign will,
Ancl hushed the storm to rest.
" Ye waves," he whispered, " Peace ! be still ! "
They calmed like a pardoned breast.
So have I seen a fearful storm
O'er wakened sinner roll.
Till Jesus' voice and Jesus' form
Said, "Peace, thou weary soul "
And now he bends his gentle eye
His wandering followers o'er,
" Why laise this unbelieving cry ?
I said, To yonder shore.''
When fixjt the Saviour wakened me,
And showed me why he died,
He pointed o'er life's narrow sea,
And said, " To yonder side.^^
" I am the ark where Noah dwelt,
And heard the deluge roar-
No soul can perish that has felt
My rest — To yonder shore.^^
Peaceful and calm the tide of life
When firet I sailed with thee —
My sins forgiven — no inward strife —
My breast a glassy sea.
39
40 SABBATTI SCHOOL RECITER.
But soon the storm of passion raves —
My soul is tempest tossed —
Corruptions rise, like angry waves,
" Help, master, I am lost!"
" Peace ! peace ! be still thou raging breast,
My fulness is for thee -' —
The Saviour speaks, and all is rest.
Like the waves of Galilee.
And now I feel his holy eye
Upbraids my heart of pride —
" Why raise this unbelieving cry ?
I said. To yoyukr side.-^
McCheyxe.
Begun at the Lake of Galilee, 15th July, 1839.
J
i'
X
THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS.
There is a Reaper, whose name is Death,
And. with his sickle keen.
He reaps the bearded grain at a breath,
And the Flowers that grow between.
'' Shall I have nought that is fair ?" saith he ;
Have nought but the bearded grain !
Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to me
I will give them all back again."
He gazed at the flowers with tearfiil eyes.
He kissed their drooping leaves ;
It was lor the Lord of Paradise
He bound them in his sheaves.
" My Lord hath need of these flowrets gay,"
The Reaper said, and smiled ;
" Dear tokens of the earth are they,
WL re he was once a child.
" They shall all bloom in fields of light,
Transplanted by my care,
And saints upon their garments white,
These sacred blosaoms wear,"
And the mother gave, in tears and pain,
The flowers she most did love ;
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
She knew she should find them all again
In the fields of light above.
O, not in cruelty, not in wrath,
The Reaper came that day ;
'Twas an angel visited the green earth,
And took the flowers away.
41
Longfellow.
THE PILGRIMS OF EMMAUS.
It happened on a solemn even tide.
Soon after he who was our surety died,
Two bosom friends, each pensively inclined.
The scene of all their sorrows left behind :
Sought their own village, busied as they went,
In musings worthy of the great event ;
They spake of him they loved, of him whose life.
Though blameless, had incurred perpet\ial strife,
Whose deeds had left, in spite of hostile arts,
A deep memorial graven on their hearts.
The recollection, like a vein of ore,
The further traced enriched them still the more ;
They thought Mm, and they justly thought him one
Sent to do more than he appeared to have done ;
To exalt a people and to place them high ^
Above all else, and wondered he should die.
Ere yet they brought their journey to an end,
A stranger joined them, courteous as a friend,
And asked them, with a kind, engaging air,
AVhat their affliction was, and begged a share.
Informed, he gathered up the broken thread,
And truth and wisdom gracing all he said,
Explained, illustrated, and searched so well
The tender theme on which they chose to dwell,
That reaching home—" The night," they said, 'Ms near.
We need not now be parted— sojourn here."
The new acquaintance soon became a guest,
And made so welcome at their simple feast.
He blessed the bread, but vanished at the word.
And left them both exclaiming—" 'Twas the Lord!—
Did not our heart°. feel all he deigned to say,
Did they not burn within us by the way?"
COWPER.
42
SABBATJI SCHOOL RKCITER.
i
BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR SENSES.
What a mercy is it that we are not lame, or blind, or
''eaf, as we might have been ! To whom do we owe this ?
We owe it to God. Unless he had cared for us, our parents
and friends would have tried in vain to nhield us from harm.
John Kitto was the son of a mason at Plymouth. One
day, when he was carrying a load of slates up a ladder to
his father, who was slating the roof of a house, the boy lost his
footing, and fell backwards into the paved court below. He
was carried to his bed, and there he lay, utterly uncon-
scious, for a whole fortnight. When he came to himself, he
asked for a book which he had been reading before he fell.
But when his friends answ^ered him, they saw by his face
that he did not hear ; they shouted, but still his eye and his
tongue kept inquiring, as if they had not spoken to him at
all ; they then answered him by signs, but he went on say-
ing, "Why do you not speak? — let me have the book I"
One of them near him wrote on a slate that the book had
been given back to its owner. " But,'' said the poor boy,
" why do you write to me, why not speak? " Then the sad
truth could no longer be kept back, and so there was written
on the slate, and held up before him, the dreadful words,
"You are deaf." — And he was deaf to the end of his days.
Yet though deaf, and very poor, love of books was so strong
that he taught himself many languages ; he travelled in
many lands ; and when he died, he left behind him many
very useful and learned books, helping us to understand
that "best of all books "—the Bible.
Now, in this case you see that all that man could do was
done. God, and God only, could have saved this boy from
deafness. If, then, we are neither lame, nor deaf, nor blind
— if we can work without pain, and without hindrance — if
we can hear the song of birds, and the sound of pleasant
voices — if we can see the cheerful sunshine, and the bright
flowers, and the faces of those we love, then we should be
ttiankful to God, who up to this very hour has guarded atid
kept us from all danger.
And let God's goodness to us lead us to pity and help all
•who suffer from bodily deformity or infirmity. It is cruel
and cowardly to join in teasing such, or laughing at them 5
it is cruel and cowardly not to pity and help them. I have
read of a crippled beggar who was trying to pick up some
old clothes that had been thrown to him from a window,
when a crowd of rude boys gaiiiered rounu him, mimicking
his awkward movement's, and hooting at his rags and
wretchedness, Presently, a noble little lad came up —
SABBATH POIIOOL RECITER.
43
p ashed through the crowd -saw what was the matter— at
once aet to work, and helped the cripple to gather up his
gifts and put them in a bundle -and ran on, A lady, the
wife of one of the chief men in the town, saw the whole
aifair, and as the lad passed she asked his name, and wrote
it down, to tell her husband, that he might help him on m
th*^ world : and Bhe said to him as he left her, " God will
bless you tor doing that kiud act." But it was not for show,
or for reward, that the lad had done it ; still the lady's kind
words of approval were pleasing ; and he found, too, that
he had made his own heart glad by doing good.
There was a boy at one of our schools who had a stutter
in his speech ; and whenever his class-fellows took notice of
it, or laughed at him, Ws infirmity became worse. It hap-
pened that a new teacher came to the school. When it
came to the turn of the stammering boy to say his lesson, not
being used to the teacher, he could not get on. The
teacher, of course, thought that he hadn't learnt it, and
most of the class were laughing at the poor boy ; but one
generous lad said, " Teacher, give him time.'' The teacher
did so, and soon the lesson was said. That was right con-
duct ; " Go and do ye likewise."
Rkv. J. E)iBKL\E Clarke.
FAITH.
We saw thee not, when thou did'st troad.
O Saviour, this our sinful earth ;
Nor heard thy voice restore the dead,
And wake them to a second birth :
But we believe, that thou didst come.
And quit for ua thy glorious home.
V/e were not with the faithful few,
Who stood thy bitter cross around. ■
Nor heard thy prayer for those who slew.
Nor felt the earthquake rock the ground,-
We saw no spear-wound pierce thy f<ido :
Yet we believe that thou hast died.
No angel's message met our car
On that first glorious Easter-day,—
'• The Lord is risen, he is not here,
Come see the place where Jesus lay ! "
But we believe that thou didst quell
The banded powers of Death and ITell.
44 SABBATH SCHOOL UECITEK.
We saw thee not return on high ;
And now our longing sight to bless,
No ray of glory from the sky
Comes down upon our wilderness :
Yet we bdieve that thou art there,
And seek thee, Lord, in praise and prayer
Rugby Hymx Book.
MY THREE BOYS.
I HAVp] a son, a little son,
A boy just five years old,
With eyes of thoughtful eai-nestness,
And mind of gentle mould.
Strange questions doth he ask of me,
When we together walk ;
He scarcely thinks as children think,
Or talks as children talk.
He cares not much for childish sports,
Dotes not on bat or ball,
But looks on manhood's ways and works,
And aptly mimics ail.
Oh, whoa 1 look into his eyes.
And stroke his tlioughtful bvow,
I dare not think what I should feel
Were I to lose him now.
I have a son, a second son,
A simple child of three ;
How silver sweet those tones of his,
AVhen he prattles on my knee !
I do not think his light blue eye
Is, like his brother's, keen.
Nor his brow so full of childish thought,
As his hath ever been ;
But his little heart's a fountain pure
> Of kind and tender feeling.
And his every look's a sunny gleam.
Rich depths of love revealing.
Should he grow up to riper years
God grant his heart may prove
As sweet a home for heavenly grace.
As now for earthly love :
And if beside his grave the tears
Our aching eyes must dim.
God comfort us for all the love
Which we shall lose in him.
SABBATH SCIIOOr. RECITER.
I have a son, a third sweet son ;
His age I cannot tell,
For they reckon not by years and months,
Where he has gone to dwell,
I cannot tell what form his is,
What looks he weareth now,
Nor guess how bright a glory crowns
His shining seraph brow :
But I know (for God hath told me"this)
That he is now at rest,
Where other blessed infants be.
On the Saviour's loving breast.
Whate'er befalls his brethren twain.
His bliss can never cease ;
Their lot may here be grief and fear.
But his is certain peace.
When we think of what our darling is,
And what we still must be ;
When we muse on that world's perfect bliss.
And this world's misery ;
When we groan beneath this load of sin,
And feel this grief and pain ;
Oh, we'd rather lose our other two,
Than have him here again.
45
Moultrie.
THE PRODIGAL SON.
What blis5,ful sounds are these that fill the air ?
Methinks they echo from yon dazzling halls !
Unbounded mirth succeeds to gloom and care.
For sorrow long hath reigned within those walls.
That mansion, too, has looked both lone and drear ;
But now ascends unusual bursts of joy ;
Perchance some glorious news has reached the ear,
It may be tidings of their absent boy.
For, lost to virtue's pure and peaceful way,
He mocked his father's word and mother's tears ;
He left his home in other lands to stray.
Regardless of parental love and fears.
46
RAIIBATII SCHOOL RECITER.
%
^
I stood as if oq some enchanterl ground.
And as I fondly listened, soon I learned,
Their lost and long abandoned son was found,
The fainting prodigal had then returned.
Welcome, indeed, to him was this retreat,
When sunk in vice, in poverty and woe—
When he had fed on husks the swine did eat.
To find again his happy home below.
Of every comfort, every friend bereft,
Wandering through hopeless stormy patus unknowA,
No fragment of his wasted fortune left,
He felt undone, forsaken, and alone.
Till musing long, in dark and deep despair,
With hands still clasp 'd upon his breast,
" My father has enough and ranch to spare,
Why should 1 be for ever thus distrest ?
" Unworthy though I am, yet not in vain
To a fond parent's heart shall I appeal ;
I '11 seek my childhood's tranquil home again.
He will not spurn me when I humbly kneel."
And now, behold in view the well-known spot
Where stands his aged father's blest abode ;
From grief to joy was changed his chequered lot,
That father met him in his toilsome rgad,
Aod fell upon his neck, encircling round
His once fair form, in warm and fond embrace ;
Bat as he raised him trembling from the ground,
He saw that grief had marked his pallid face.
With downcast eyes suffused in tears, he said
" Fatiier, I 've sinned 'gainst heaven and in thy sight .;
Ob grant that from thy crumbs I may be fed,
I '11 serve thee daily with supreme delight"
But love parental could not long forbear.
The sire replied, " Son, thou wert ever mine,
A robe of honour thou shalt shortly wear,
And on thy head shall pearls and diamonds shine.
HABBATEi SCHOOL RKCITKR.
" For the'? the fatted calf shall now be killed,
Beneath my roof shall joy end mirth abound.
My gladsome homo shall now with guests be fillou,
For thou, my child, wert lost, but now r.rt found."
But joy, far greater joy, in heaven is heard,
Unlike this transitory bliss below.
When sinners turn to our forgiving Lord,
When tears of penitence are seen to flow.—
Angels, awake their sweetest cords and sing
" Arise, thy heavenly Father bids thee come ; "
The jasper walls above with rapture ring,
When one lost child is seeking for his home.
4T
HEAVENLY ZION.
Beautiful Zion, built above ;
Beautiful city that I lo^e ;
Beautiful gates of pearly white ;
Beautiful temple—God its light !
Beautiful tr^os, for ever there ;
Beautiful fruits they always bear ;
Beautiful rivers gliding by,
Beautiful fountains, never dry !
Beautiful light w^ithout the sun ;
Beautiful day, revolving on ;
Beautiful worlds on worlds \mtold ;
Beautiful streets of shining gold !
Beautiful Heaven, where all is light ;
Beautiful angels clothed in white ;
Beautiful songs that never tirp ;
Beautiful harps through all the choir !
Beautiful crowns on every brow^ ;
Beautiful palms the conquerors show ;
Beautiful robes the ransomed wear.;
Beautihil all who enter there I
Beautiful throne for God the Lamb,
Beautiful seats at God's right hand,
Beautiful rest, all wanderings cease I
Beautiful home of perfect peace !
^ " SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
LITTLE CHRISTIAN.
Come hither, little Christian,
And hearken unto me ;
I -11 teach thee Avhat the daily life
Of a Christian child should be.
When a Christian child awaketh,
He should think of God in heaven,
And softly say, " I thank thee, Lord,
For the sleep which thou hast given.-'
He must say when he ariseth,
" From evil and from harm
Defend thy little child, Lord,
With thine everlasting arm."'
He reverently kneel etli
To pray beside his bed.
With closed eyes and humble voice
His holy prayers are said.
And as he thus approacheth
The God of heaven above.
He looketh down and smileth on
The little child in love.
He goeth from his chamber
To his work or to his play ;
Cut the prayers that he hath prayed
He la list keep in mind all day.
He hath asked to be obedient.
And so he must fulfil
His parents' bidding cheerfully,
With a glad mind and will.
If a playmate take his playthings,
He must not rudely try
• To snatch them back, but mildly ask,
Or meekly pass them by.
He hath asked to be made holy,
So he must strive all day
To yield his will to others' will,
Ilia way to others' wav.
No greedy thoughts dish, aour
The Christian child at meals ; ^
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Ho eateth what God gives him,
And ever thankful feels.
When no human eye can see him
lie knoweth God is nigh ;
And that darkness cannot cover him
From his all-seeing eye.
Again, when evening cometh,
The Christian child will pray,
And praise the Lord for blessings given
To him throughout the day.
Then his soul to God committing,
- He quietly may sleep,
God and his angel hosts
Will watch around him keep.
God bless thee, little Christian.
Be holy, humble, mild.
Obedient, truthful, diligent —
A truly Christian child.
God bless thee, little Christian,
And bid thee God bless me ;
I 've taught thee what the daily life
Of a Christian child should be.
49
CROSSING THE JORDAN.
" Oh, Mary,*' " I wish you had been at .School yesterday,
we had such an interesting subject for the day."
" I 'm always sorry, Eliza, when I cannot go ; but with
so many little sisters, I must sometimes be kept at home.
Yesterday, Sarah was so very ill, I was attending to her all
day, because you know mother has the baby to nurse ; it is
only three weeks old."
" Yes, Mary, it is true— and our teacher has often told
us our first duty is at home. But I wanted you to hear
about the lesson. I never thought there was so much to
interest us in Joshua's history. You know who he w^as,
Mary."
" Yes, ho was the man who succeeded Moses, and who
led the 'uildren of Israel into the promised land."
'• When Moses died they were very near Canaan ; but
there was one great hindrance to tlu'ir going-into it."'
^0 SABBATH SCnOOI. RECITER.
"What was that?"
"The river Jordan, and at that time of the year, the
melting snows from the mountainous regions of the north of
Palestme and Lebanon, caused the river to overflow, and
then It became a dashing torrent. So the people thought
we will wait a little, and then wo will go over."
"Did they wait?"
" No, God told them to go at once. The priests were to
go forward with the ark, and all the people were to be
ready to follow directly,"
" But, Eliza, how surprised the people would be at such
a command, when the river was so full."
" Yes, Mary, they were ; but in the morning they saw
the pillar of cloud that went before the Israelites, begin to
move down towards the deep river."
" Did the people follow ? • '
" First, the priests went bearing the ark. The people
were to keep a little way off that they might see distinctly
which way the priests wont. Now, Mary, comes the part
that IS so wonderful. The priests M^ent on, on— till their
feet touched the water ; and then they divided nd were
driven back perhaps several miles. "
" Did the people follow at once in the path ? "
" No, the priests went steadily and slowly on
the middle of the stream, then they stood still."
" Why did they do that ? "
••Because the pillar of cloud m^iod, and so it remained
till the people passed over."
" Did they all get over safely ? "
" Yes, none were left behind : no child, no old man, the
Bible says, < all the peop!e passed clean over Jordan.' "
"Did the people go on then ? "
"No, not directly— the people were then in Canaan ;
but they were to take twelve stones of remembrance out of
the middle* of the river, to be set up on its banks, as a
monument of God's care over them. '
' Did the waters go back again? "
" Yes, as soon as the priests carried the ark to the bank
of the river nearest to the land of Canaan, there was a rush
of the waters back again."
" Did Joshua say anything to the people about the
stones?"
" Yts, he told them that when their children should ask
them in time to come, what the stones meant, they were'to
tell them how God had dried up the waters of Jordan that
they might pass over. ' That all the people might know the
hand of the Lord, that it is mighty.' "
as far as
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
51
year, the
e north of
d^oWj and
c thought
;s were to
ere to be
e at such
they saw
, begin to
ie people
distinctly
the part
-till their
nd were
as far as
remained
man, the
n.
7 iJ
Canaan ;
ee out of
iks, aa a
the bank
aa a rush
bout the
lould stsk
were to
:dan that
tjnow the
•' What part of Joshua is this account in? "
'* In the third and fourth chapters, Mary — ^7e can read
them together sometime. And Miss Clayton told us that
this miracle would show how faithful God was : he had
said he would be with Joshua as he had been with Moses,
and this was a proof that he was so. It would also show
that God was the friend of Israel. She told us also that
Canaan should make us think of the better land to which
God's children are hastening, and that Jordan should remind
us of the river of death through which we shall have to pass.
Oh, Mary, let us try to think more about these things, and
pray to God to forgive us our sins, so that he may be our
Mend now ; and that we may go to him when we die.''
THE CHRISTIAN MOTHER AND HER CmLD.
CHILD.
What can I do for Christ, mamma,
Who does so much for me ?
MOTHER.
Give him your youthful heart, my child,
And from all evil flee.
CHILD.
I think he has my heart, raaiunia.
And I detest all sin.
MOTHER.
Then end each day with prayer, ray child ;
With prayer each day bogin.
CHILD.
I pray both moxu and eve, mamma,
And love God's word to read.
MOTHER.
Act too, that all may see, my child,
That you are Christ's indeed.
CHILD.
All this I strive to do, mamma.
Can I do nothing more ?
MOTHER.
Yes, tell that Christ has died for us,
God's favour to restore.
^H 1
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52 SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
CHILD.
To whom can one so yoang, mamma,
The Saviour's mercy teach ?
MOTHER.
To all you love, and all you know,
And all your voice can reach.
CHILD.
But there are dying souls, mamma,
In many a distant land.
MOTHER.
Well, send some men to preach the word,
That they may understand.
CHILD.
How can I send them men, mamma.
Who am so weak and poor ?
MOTHER.
Help those who do, and that with prayer,
A blessing to secure.
CHILD.
If prayer would turn my pence to pounds,
I fain your plan would try.
MOTHER.
Elisha, and the widow's oil,
My answer will supply.
CHILD.
Oh ! yes, I see ; I have not much,
But what I have I '11 give ;
And God may make some dying soul
Through my small pittance live.
MOTHER.
Do thus, my child ; and you will find,
When sun and stars are dim.
That Christ regards what 's done for men.
As if 'twere done to him.
^' On, liiil Miti iiirsu irih nrjuL.
A ML^.iioNAKV. far away
Beyond llie Southern Sea,
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Was sitting in his home one day
With Bible on his knee ;
When suddenly he heard a rap
Upon the chamber door,
And opening, tht*re stood a boy
Of some ten years or more.
lie was a bright and happy child,
With cheeks of niddy hue,
And eyes, that 'neath their lashes smiled,
And glittered like the dew.
He held his little form erect
In boyish sturdiness.
But on his lip you could detect
Traces of gentleness.
" Dear sir,'' he said, in '-■■live tongue,
'' I do so want to kr
If something for the houj^e of God
You'll kindly let me do.''
" What can you do, my little boy ? "
The missionary said :
And as he spoke he laid his baud
Upon the youthful head.
Then bashfully, as if afraid
His secret wish to tell.
The boy in eager accents stiid —
"Oh, let me ring the bell !
" Oh, please to let me ring the bell
For our dear house of prayer ;
I 'm sure I '11 ring it loud and well,
And I '11 be always there ! "
The missionary kindly look'd
Upon that upturn'd face,
Where hope, and fr 'v, and wistfulness
United, left theii trace.
And gladly did he grant the boon ;
The boy had pleaded well,
And to the ea":er child he said,
53
<«
Yes, you shall ring the bell
I r
54 SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Oh, what a proud and happy heart
He carried to his home.
And how impatiently he longed
For the Sabbath-day to come !
He rang the bell : he mmt to school,
The Bible learned to read,
And in his youthful heart was sown
The Gospel's precious seed.
And DOW, to other heathen lands
He 's gone, of Christ to tell 5
And yet his first young mission was
To ring the Sabbath bell.
I
SPEAK GENTLY.
Speak Gently ! it is better far
To rule by love than fear ;
Speak gently ! let not harsh words mar
The good we might do here.
Speak gently ! love doth whisper low
The vows that true hearts bind ;
And gently friendship's accents flow —
Affection's voice is kind.
Speak gently to the little child !
Its love be sure to gain ;
Teach it in accents soft and mild ;—
It may not long remain.
Speak gently to the young, for tboy
Will have enough to bear ;
Pass through this life as best they may,
'Tis fiiU of anxious care.
Speak gently to the aged one.
Grieve not the careworn heart ;
The sands of life are nearly run —
Let such in peace depart.
Speak gently, kindly, to the poor.
Let no harBb tone be heard ;
Tliey have enough they must endure.
Without an unkind word.
if
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Speak gently to the erring ; know
They may have toiied in vain ;
Perchance unkindness made them so,
Oh ! win them back again !
Speak gently ! he who gave his life
To bend man's stubborn will,
When elements were in fierce strife,
Said to them, " Peace, be still ! *'
Speak gently ! 'tis a little thing
Dropp'd in the heart's deep well ;
The good, the jov which it may bring
Eternity shall tell.
55
HOW MUCH AKE YOU IN DEBT ?
FATHER AND SON.
I£enry,~(Entering his father's counting-room.) O father,
liow much you must owe people : or what a lot thoy must
owe you ; for such a big book to be wanted to keep your
accounts in !
Father.— It is hardly fair to judge by the size of my
books.
Ilenry.—Whj not, father? Will not a large book hold
more than a small one ?
Fhthei\—Ye8 ; but different pciople have different plans
of book-keeping. Some people who are deeply in debt do
not keep any books at all.
Jfem^?/.— Indeed that must be a very bad plan. Well,
nobody ovvos me anything, and I owe no one a single
shilling.
Father.— l am not certain of that, my son; in fact,
when I said there are some people deeply in debt who keep
no books, I meant to include you among the number.
Henry.— ^\q\ What! do you think I am in debt? I
paid Lizzie the shilling she lent me yesterday, and I owe
nobody a penny.
Father. — What, if after all you have said. T should find you
over head and ears in debt ? What would you say then ?
Henry. — You are joking, father ; for no one can make
it out that I am in debt. I do not owe a single penny.
Father. — Well, if you are so sure, you can have nonobjec-
tion to my inquiring into your affairs a little.
56
SABBATH SCHOOL RKCITER.
t I
ifenrv.-Not in the least. You may ask any question
vou like You cannot make me in debt, tha 's certam.
^ mher -viry well : we shall see. Take your place
therf &e meUile I'proceed as a committee f^^^^^^^^^^^^
gation. X might properly bring my own bill for ten years
Lard, clothing, lodging, and education, which would be
many many pounds ; but I will pass this by.
Benrv -O I I never thought of such things.
fflr -And for that reason it is my duty to think of
themt Ixarilnrng your affairs I told you I t^-g^J^H
very bad accountant. Your two Pri^^VP^^^^^^^X' you
vmir parthlv father and your heavenly lather. Wtiatyou
Te th^lbr^e? is not worthy of being mentioned m com-
parison with what you are indebted to the latter.
^ Srl-l^uppose I shall soon be puzzled if you go on at
ihU rate I didn't mean such things.
XL.-Well, correct me if I make a wi^ng charge
You are ndebted to your heavenly father for life ; and all
yoiS: senses"^^^^^^^^^ hearing, feeling, tasting and smellmg.
^ould you part with them for a tho^^and pounds each ?
Henry.-So, father ; you know I would not. But, then,
did not God give me all these ?
Father.-Ye^, he gave them to y^V.^cif i^^te me Se
thinff of you in return. He says, " Son, give me tnme
heart" Then, there is your faculty of speech, your
^^^JIen7^/-Stop, stop ; I see that you would make a much
lar/er bUl against m? ban I could ever pay. I confess I
dTd^ northink of reckoning these things, but yc will never
nXt^-i«'n1t^ ^;;;i?yri^tartily h<.pe not. We
love of our divine parent.
WE ARE SEVEN.
I MET a little cottage girl, .
She was eight years old, she said ;
Her hair was thick with many a curl
That cluster'd round ter head.
*' Sisters and brothers, little maid,
"- - many — " ^'"" i^"'*
it
How
And
in all," she said,
many'^ seven
wondering look'd at me.
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
57
" And where are they, I pray you, tell? ''
She answer'd, '• Seven are we ;
And two of us at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea.
" Two of us in the churchyard lie,
My sister and my brother ;
And in the churchyard cottage I
Dwell near them with my mother.-'
" You say that two at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea,
Yet you are seven ; I pray you tell,
Sweet maid, how this may be."
Then did the little maid reply,
" Seven boys and girls are we ;
Two of us in the churchyard lie,
Beneath the churchyard tree."
" You Tim about, my little maid,
Your limbs they are alive 5
If two are in the churchyard laid.
Then you are only five."
" Their graves are green, they may be seen,"*
The little maid replied,
" Twelve steps or more from mother's door,
And they are side by side.
"My stockings there I often knit ;
My 'kerchief there I hem ;
And there upon the ground I sit —
I sit and sing to them.
" And often after sunset, sir.
When it is light and fair,
I take my little porringer.
And eat my supper there.
" The first that died was little Jane ;
In bed she moaning lay ;
Till God released her from her pain,
And then she went away.
cu III i/iic vjiiuiuiijiiiu niic wan iai-a. .
And when the grass was dry,
Together round her grave we play'd,.
My bi jther John and I.
I
58
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
" And when the ground was white with snow,
And I could run and slide,
My brother John was forced to go
And he lies by her side.'
" How many are you then/' said I,
" If those two are in heaven?
The little maiden did reply, ^
" Oh, master, we are seven.
« But they are dead-those two are dead,
Their spirits are in heaven.
'Twas throwing words away, for stUl
The little maid would have her will,
" And said, " Nay, we are seven.
Wordsworth.
THE ORPHAN S SONG.
I SAW a little lamb to-day.
It was not very old ;
Close by its mother s side it lay.
So soft within the fold :
It felt no sorrow, pain, or fear,
While such a comforter waa near.
Sweet little lamb, you cannot know
What blessing I have lost :
Were you like me, what coutd you do
Amid the wintry frost ? ^
My clothes are thin, my food is poor,
And I must be- from door to door.
I had a mother once, like you.
To keep me by her side :
She cherish'd me and loved me too ;
But soon, alas ! she died.
Now, sorrowful and full of care,
I'm lone and weary everywhere.
'Twas thus a little orphan sung.
Her lonely heart to cheer ;
- ^ J^^^'rl rrtxfir IfWHT.
Uetore sne wauuci « tvxj .--ot
She found a Saviour near :
He bade her seek his smiling face,
And find in heaven a dwelling-place.
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
59
low,
RDSWORTH.
do
>;
SABBATH CHIMES.
There's music in the morning air,
A hol^ voice and sweet,
Far callmg to the House of Prayer
The humblest peasant's feet.
From hill, and vale, and distant moor.
Long as the chime is heard,
Each cottage sends its tenants forth
For God's enriching word.
Where'er the British power hath trod,
The cross of faith ascends,
And, like a radiant arch of God,
The light of Scripture bends !
Deep in the forest wilderness
The wood-built church is known ;
A sheltering wing, in man's distress.
Spread like the Saviour's own !
The warrior from his armed tent.
The seaman from the tide.
Far as the Sabbath chimes are sent
In Christian nation's wide, —
Thousands and tens of thousands bring
Their sorrows to his shrine,
And taste the never-failing spring
Of Jesus' love divine !
If, at an earthly chime, the tread
Of million, million feet
Approach whene'er the Gospel's read
In God's own temple-seat.
How blest the sight, from death's dark sleep,
To see God's saints arise ;
AnH countless hosts of angels keep
The Sabbath of the sides !
C. Swain.
ce.
SUMMER-TIME.
I LOVE the cheerful summer-time,
with all its birds and flowers.
Its shining garments green and smooth,
Its cool, refreshing showers.
40 SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
I love to hear the little birds,
That carol on the trees ;
I love the gentle murmuring stream,
I love the evening breeze.
I love the bright and glorious sun,
That gives us light and heat ;
I love the pearly drops of dew,
That sparkle 'neath ray feet.
I love to hear the busy hum
Of honey-making bee,
And learn a lesson, hard to learn,
Of patient industry.
I love to see the playful lambs,
So innocent and gay ;
I love the faithful, watchful dog,
Who guards them night and day.
I love to think of him who made
These pleasant things for me ;
Who gave me life, and health, and strength.
And eyes that 1 might see.
I love the holy Sabbath day,
So peaceful, calm, and still ;
And oh, I love to go to church,
And learn my Maker's will.
i 511
THE CHERRY TREE.
At each breath of the breeze they came rustling down ;
To his servant Spring, the good God said,
" For the poor little worm a table spread ! "
Straight on the cherry tree there were seen
Thousands of leaflets fresh and green.
Then the poor little worm woke up, and crept
From the cell where all winter long it had slept.
It rubbed its eyes in a dreamv mood,
And opened its little mouth for food.
And with blow silent tootn it gnaweu away
The little green leaflets on many a spray,
And it said to itself, " Thi3 is very good,—
" 'Tis quite a feast on such delicate food ! "
SABBATH SCHOOL REOITRR. $|
To his servant Summer the good God said
" For the poor little bee a table spread I "
Straight the tree all over was bright
With thousands of blossoms fresh and white.
Soon as the morning reddened the ea«t,
1 he little bee flew from his hive to the feast,
And hummed to himself, " Th's is pleasant juice,—
" Can such nice little china cups be for my use ?
"So clean and so white the cups are, let me dip
" My tongue into each, and the sweet juice sip I "
So from cup to cup he flutters and drinks :
" This year there is no want of sugar," he thinks.
Then to Summer the good God said,
" For the poor little bird a table spread ! "
Straight for each blossom came fruit instead,
Thousands of cherries so fresh and red.
The wren and the sparrow then flew to ihe tree,
Each chirruped and said, " Is this meant for me?
" Here let us feast the whole summer long,
" And our throats will be clear and sweet for song I "
Then to Autumn the fiood God said,
"Clear the table,— the children have fed ! ''
Quickly a cold wind blew from the hill,
And its breath was hoar-frost, .dank and chill.
And the leaves turned yellow, and red, and brown,
At each breath of the bre ze they came rustling down ;
What had come from earth returned to earth,
And died on the bosom that gave it birth.
Last to Winter the good God said,
" Over all that is left a covering spread ! "
Quickly the snow-flakes began to fall.
Wrapping them up in a close, white pall.
SOWING AND REAPING.
Days and years are left behind us,
But, while seasons come and go,
None can leave us as they find us
Worse or better we must grow.
€2
BABliATII BCUOOL RKCITBR.
Rivers to the ocean tending,
Ever deepen m they roll :
And for blisa or woe unending
Every hour prepares our soul.
Like the trees still wider spreading
Laden boughs and thirsting roots^
All the life w» jow arc leading
Foster sweet or uitter fiiiita.
Should the spring in vain incite us
Now to sow the precious seed,
How shall harvest e'er requite ua
But wi'*! fields of thorn and weed ?
Let ua, mindful oT the warning
We from day to day receive,
Give to God our life'H fresh morning, —
Then shall he make glad our eve.
Let thy grace, O Lord I be given,
That, by all we hear and see,
We may grow more ripe for heaven,
More prepared to dwell with thee.
Hymns fob Youthfll Voices.
BE KIND TO THE LOVED ONES AT HOME.
Bk kind to thy father- for when thou wert young.
Who loved thee bo fondly as he ?
He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,
And joined in thy innocent glee,
Be kind to thy fktber, for now he is old,
His locks in ermingled with gray ;
Bis footetepfi are feeble, oiace fearless and bold^
Thy father is passing away.
Be kind to thy mother, for lo 1 on her brow
May traces of sorrow be seen ;
Oh well mayVt thou cherish and comfort her now,
For loving and kind hath she been.
Remember tl^y mother for thee will she pray
Ab long as God giveth her breath ;
With accents of kmdness then cheer her lone way,
fi'en to the dark valley of death.
SABBATH fiOIIOOL RECITER.
Be kind to thy brother hia heart will jivo dearth
It tho amilo of thy joy ha with Jimwh j '
The flowers of reeling will falo at their birth,
If the dew «'f affection be gone.
Be kind to thy brother - wherever jou are
The love of a brother shrill bo
An ornament, purer and richer by I'ar
Than pearls from the depths of the s('a.
Be kind to thv sijter -not many may know
I he depths of true 8i»t rly love ;
The wealth ot the oce.m liea fathoms below
The snrlace that sparkles above.
Be kind to ttiy father -o .ce fearloris an J bold,—
Be kind to thy mother t^o near ;
Be kind to thy brother, nor show thy heart colJ ;
Be kind to thy sieter so dear.
63
HAVELOCK.
The joLimey 's oVr, the battle »8 fought,
'I he victory is won ;
The Lord hath sent his messenger
To bid his servant come.
And he who fear'd not death from men,,
Shall now obtain the prize,
And see bis master face to face
Beyond the starry skies.
Blest are the dead in God who die,
And from their labours cease ;
Is he not faithful who hath said
That they shall rest in p.ace ?
Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard,
Nor tongue of man can tell,
The joy« that Jedus hath prepared
For those who serve him well.
Let IIS not mourn as those who have
No hope their hearts to cheer ;
The Saviour took the stin^ M^m i*{
And what have we to fear ?
64 RABBATH SCHO«^L RECITER.
In Jordan's dark and bitter stream
He will be still our guide,
To lead us to eternal rest
Upon the other side.
And when the joyfiil day shall come,
When we shall part no more,
Then happy shall our meeting be
With those who went before.
Among the rare and brilliant g ^ms
Which deck the Saviour's brow,
Shall be our gallant Ilavelock—
The hero of Lucknow !
H.
!"
m
m
TALENTS.
'Tast ye the unprofltablo gcrvnnt iiito otitor clarkni-ps.'* —
JUaM. XXV. SO.
Have you read of the servant who hid in the earth
The talent his master had given,
When, by diligent use, to redouble its worth,
He ought to have faithfully striven.
My child, you have talents,— God gave them to you,
And will surely require them again :
Take care not to waste them ; if ever so few,
Let them not have been given in vain.
You .have speech; then remember io watchyour words well,
And let them be gentle and kind ;
It may seem a small matter, but no one can tell
The comfort a word leaves behind.
You have time ; every minute and hour of the day
Is lent by your father in heaven :
Make haste to improve, ere it pusses away.
This talent so graciously given.
You have wfluence, too, though it seems very small.
Yet, in greater or lesser degree,
Yon aifect the imT>rovement and comfort of all
With whom you may happen to bo.
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER. 65
And the child who in earnest endeavours to live
As^ an heir of eternity ought,
By his silent example a lesson may give,
Which by words he could never have taught.
Then consider the talents intrusted to you,
And may they be duly improved ;
Let your service bo hearty and free, as is due
From children so greatly beloved.
Thoughts in Versk.
THE LOST LAMB.
A TRUE STORY.
A LITTLE LAMB with flecce so white, lived in a garden fair—
A happy little lamb was he, sweet Annie's play to share ;
And Annie was a happy child, with many a treasured toy,
But more than all, her own pot lamb wou'd fill her heart
with joy.
Once Annie to her mother ran with tears which fell like
rain,
^' Mamma, mamma, my lamb is lost! he'll never come
again.'
"Cheer up, my child," her mother said, "we'll send the
gardener round.
And very soon, you may be sure, vour fiivourite will be
found."
So Annie wiped her tears away, and tried once more to
smile,
But still, before he came again, it seemed a long, long while ;
Until at last (what joy !) she saw the gardener at the door,
And back within his careful arms the little lamb he bore.
Then on her knee her little girl her mother fondly took,
And talked to her of things we read in God's most holy
book :
" You were a straying lamb, ray child, but Jesus died for
,you,
And now he calls you to his arms -the Shepherd kind and
tiue."
66
SABBATn SCHOOL RECITER.
She clung around her mother's neck, then bounded to her
play,
And merrily the hours passed by of that bright summer day.
'Twas Annie's latest day on earth, she drooped at eveuing
hour.
And through the long and weary night she faded like a
flower.
Yet ere the spirit passed away, she raised her infant head.
And aazed upon her parents dear who wept around her
bed:
" Mamma,'' she said, " the Shepherd kind for his lost lamb
is come ;
Mamma, oh, may he have it ? " and then— God called her
home.
Oh, happy lambs, by Jesus called thus to his arms on high,
So kindly and so tenderly he bears them to the sky.
And happy those he leaves on earth in holiness to grow,
And ero they join the fold above to fill the fold below I
M. K. M.
m 1
THE SOLDIER OUT OF UNIFORM.
A Soldier, going alonp the road in his regimentals, over-
took a serious-looking young man who was reading a hand-
bill. The young man was the taller of the two. but the
soldier seemed to have the advantage on account of his high
cap. They had not walked many yards before they began
the following conversation : —
Soldier.- Marching is warm work such a day as this ; but
you seem to clear the ground a^ if you were used to it.
Young Jl/an.— Why, when one has a distance to go,
there 'a no good got in letting the grass grow under one's
feet.
8.— True, comrade ; you look like a hearty young fellow
that has got some pith in him. just fit to serve your sovereign.
What say you ? Will you list for a soldier ?
Y. M. No, that is not necessary, seeing that I am a
fioldier already.
SI —Indeed I then let me tell you that it seems a queer
A1.9— ^ X^ ..^ «. t~\*^l »*A«« tym*t*. a^^^^ *•« %.^>«Wl* .1^ i^l^ ^O la
Y. if.— It may ; but the men in the company' that I be-
SABBATH SCHOOL RKOITER.
67
long to are allowed to dress in what way they like, so that
they go well armed, keep themselves neat and clean, and
don't disgrace their profession.
S. — Ay ! Never did I hear before that any regiment in
the 881 vice was allowed to dress out of uniform. I am
afraid you're joking ; and yer. you look as solid aa old time.
How old are you ? I take you to be about thirty.
T, M. — You are not far from the mark ; but 1 call myself
an old soldier tor ali that.
8. — May I be bold enough to ask if you have ever seen
service ? Have you ever been in an engagement ?
Y. M. — Oh, yes 1 in a great many, and have been despe-
rately wounded too in some of them ; but here I am, thank
God, willing t » fight aa long as I have a leg to stand on.
8. -Well, that 's right ; you seem to have some heart in
you. as every Foldier ought to have. You can read, I dare
say, or you wouldn't have that paper in your hand ; and if
you can write a bit I shouldn't wonder at all if you were
promoted, and made a corporal.
Y. if. - 1 've no great i^islre for promotion ; it 's a
soldier's business to do his J^v y cheerfully rather than to
want to hold up his head above his comrades.
8. - Very true ; but for all that I have no great wish to
remain " a full private " all my days. Come now, be
honest with me, for it pops into my head that it's all moon-
shine about your company not wearing uniform. I am afraid
you're a deserter.
Y, M. —Not a bit of it. Many a thing have I done in my
time that a faithful soldier ought not to do, but as to
deserting I 'd lose my life first.
8. Well, well, I'm not the man to betray a brother
soldier, if you had been one ; but I 'm gtad you 're no
deserter. Here's a public house, I see ; what say you to a
glass of brandy and water : or, perhaps, you like the brandy
best by itself?
Y. M. -1 am neither in want of the one nor the other. In
the first place, I can't afford to drink brandy ; and in the
next place, orders are given at head-quarters that our com-
pany should be very moderate in such things.
<8.— If you can't afford it, you shall have a glass at ray
expense, and welcome. Moderation is all very well ; but
when one is not on duty, a soldier may take a drop now
and^then. _
r. M. — jout our company is ordered to be always on duty,
11
i
1
68
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
night and day, wet or dry, in doors or out. We are ordered
to keep guard continually, and to be always ready for the
march.
6'.— What ! always on duty ? Why that's enough to break
any soldier's heart. In time of war its warm work with
us, I grant you, and there's no time for carousing; but
when we are at peace, and at home, as I may say, to be
always on duty is quite out of the question. Look here,
now ; while we have been ta'king we have left the public
house behind us. But tell me, do you belong to the
artillery, or the lancers, or the toot-guards? You are tall
enough for a life-guardsman
Y. Jf,— No, I belong to none of these.
^.— Why don't you tell me, then, what you are ? Are
you ashamed of your colours, or your captain ?
K J/.—Blessed be God, neither the one nor the other
No, no ; if any soldier has cause to speak well of both,
it is I.
5.- -You seem to me to be an odd fish, comrade; you
wear no uniform, and you won c drink brandy! It is not
above ten minutes ago tha*^ you said your company were
all to be well armed Now, you have not so much as a
bayonet by your side. If you are so particular about one
part of your duty, how is it that you are so careless about
another? 1 can't see how a man can be well armed while
he goes about in coloured clothes, with neither musket,
sword, nor bayonet about him.
Y' M— Why, the weapons we are commanded to carry
are of a different sort to yours ; and as to our armour, we
wear that under our clothes. It has been found out that
inside armour answers best.
^ 8. -lias it? ' And how long may that be ago ? Why the
life-guards wear breastplates, cuirasses — as they call them
now— just as they used to do. Do you mean to 8a>y tliat
you have got armour under your clothts now?
Y. M.- Suppose, before I answer your question, I read
over this handbill, for it will explain the whole affair a
hui dred times better than I can do it. It will give you
eome account of the corps that I belong to.
(S.— Then let us have it.
Y. M. You shall ; therefore " Attention." It runs
thus :— " Every true Christian is a soldier : Christ is the
Captain of his salvation; for God, who is over all the
armies of hoftvon Rnd t.h«> inhahifMnta ^f iHo oorfii V»ofK
appointed him to be a ' Leader and Commander to the
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
69
ier to the
People.' He liach said, 'Tbou art my battle-nxe and
weapons of war : for with thee will I break in pieces the
nations, afid with thee wiil I destroy kino^doras.' Every
true and faitlifiil soldier of Christ is bound to obey his
Captain's commands in all thins^s ; and in order that he
may do this, thay are all writtod in a book. Tliis book
contains a full and particular account of hin arms and
accoutrements, his exercise, and all his duties, so thtt no
one can excuse himself on iho score of iajnorance. The
book contains the Articles of Vfar, the enemies he is to
fight with, the way he is to begin his attack, and the manner
in which he is to secure the victory."
S.-I see now, comrade, what sort of soldier you are,
and wonder I did not find it out before ; but, however, go
on with reading your paper.
Y.M. -''lie must be clothed with hrmility 5 he must
have clean hands and a pure heart, and ever be ready to
shed the best blood that runs through his veins in fighting
against the world, the flesh, and the devil. His weapons
and his armour — "
'^.— Ay, Fm glad it says something about them. Go on,
comrade.
Y. M. — " His weapons and his armour are not of forged
iron and .«iJ>-rpened steel, but they are always to be kept
fit for service, that he may be mighty in pulling down the
strong-holds of sin and Satan. On his head he is to wear
the helmet of salvation, his loins are to be girded with
truth, with the breastplate of righteousness over his heart.
His left hand is to bear the shield of faith, hi^ right to wield
the two-edged sword of truth, and his feet to lie shod with
the preparation of the gospel."
S.—l know how to manage my firelock as well as here
and there one ; and I look upon it that it would take a
strong man and a sharp ^word to cut through my cap ; but
such arms and armour as you talk about I never heard tell
of before 5 how do you know how to use 'em ?
Y. M. - Listen to the handbill. " Thus armed for battle,
his Captain teaches his hands to war, and his fingers to
fight, and marches on before him, 'terrible as an array with
banners,' conquering and to conquer."
S. You're a long way beyond me. I should make but a
poor soldier in your coips. There are two or three in our
company like you, but I always keep away from them. If
you have got any more in your paper, let's hear it j for, to
4*
70
SAI3DATU SCHOOL RKCITER.
tell you tho truth, I don't care how soon you come to the
end of it.
Y. M. There is but little to read, now, but Miat little is
worth your attending to. " Every human btiiig who is not
a Christian soldier, but a dif«obeyer of God's command-
ments, is a rebel and a traitor, for God is the true Sovereign
of all, being King of kings and Lord of lords, and is thereby
entitled to the allegiance and service of all his subjects.
He that gerveth an earthly sovereign as a soldier, and
refiiseth to be the soldier of the King of hei'^'en, in a
deserter from the stand ird of the cross, uiid lives a life ox
open rebellion to his lawful Sovereign. Heavy is the
punishment of a soldiei for disobedience to his sovereign,
■'.J
the King of kings ; for
li'^d v;il the people that
-mrad'_' : but, now that
»>n vhat V, hen I listed to
but heavier still for di obedieni'i
the wicked shall be turned into ' ■■
forget God."
flf." You're rather hard there,
your paper is finished, let me tell
serve my sovereign I received bounty-money, and clothing
and arras, so that I am bound to serve tnily, and to fight
my country's battles, to shed my blood for the honour of
old England
Y. M. And have you received no bounty from the King
of kings ?
8. — Not a penny.
Y. M. — No 1 Why who gave you your life, and all your
faculties ? Who made tho sun and moon that light you by
day and night ; the beasts and the produce of the fields
that supp'y you with food and raiment? W^ho gave his
own Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for
sinners ? Who bestowed on ua that blessed book the Bible ?
and who has prepared a world of glory for every one that
flights under his banner, and continues to be his faithful
soldier till his life's end ? Instead of not receiving anything
at his hands, you have nothing that you have not received
from him.
8. — You look so earnest at me, and speak in such a way,
that I could feel h?»lf afraid of you. To make me out to bo
a deserter, and a rebel, and a traitor, is going too far. I
don't see that I am any worse than other folks, though I
can't say that I am any better. You m . e me out as black,
indeed.
Y. 3i.— Nay, comrade, I have only read the handbill to
you, and, if thcrO is uuytulii^ tuuli; that tOUCiieS )0u, x Cau
ome to the
honour of
handbill to
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
71
only say that the substance of it is from the word of God.
Now, supposing that a war should break out, and you
should gei; wounded, what will become of you ?
S, — Become of ine ? Why I shall be taken care of, and
have a pension, to b • sure ! Did you never hear of Chelsea
Hos:i>itiU ? Old soitJiers live there as happy as lords. Our
govt reigu lias takew care of that.
Y. ¥.— And if you should live there as happy as a lord,
you must die there at last ; and what will become of you
then ? has that b( en taken care of too ?
S.~llow you talk! that's my look-out
1 . J/. I am ({lad you think so ; and now tell me, com-
rade, what sort of a look-out you have got?
S.~Vihj. that's a poser ; but I reckon it v/ill be with a
many ut us a;* it is now ; our rations will be pretty much
the same ; I shall share as well as mv comrades. It's a
thing that I don't much care to think of. We must all die
wnen our time comes ; that's certain.
Y. M.—The Bible says as much, but dying is n'»t all ;
" It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
ju(ip:ment."
H. That is what Ilarry Towers every now and then is
telling us, but, as I said, I keep away from him.
Y. 1/.— You may keep away from Harry Towers, but you
can't keep away from the judgment-seat of Christ, com ade.
<S.— You're right enouarh there. Hdw do you manage
that? "
Y. M. - By fleeing for refuge to the stronghold ; by ac-
kncnvledging my sins, and' seeking pardon through the
death and intercession of the Captain of my salvation. The
gospel of Christ is worth more than a thousand Chelsea
Hospitals.
(S.—But what is this gospel that you say so mneh about?
Y. M— What is it ? Why it would take the tongue of an
angel, ay, of an archangel, to tell you what it is . You must
not expect that such a poor unlettered sinner as I am can
tell you a hundredth part of what it is. However, as you
ask me the question, I v/ill not be quite silent about the
vl-iUj}v. The gospel is the news of God's grace ; it is tidings
oi' ^leat joy ; it is medicine to the sick ; a cordial to the
fuiot ; wine and oil to the wounded ; food to the hungry ;
1 ;luk to the thirsty ; clothing to the naked ; riches to the
poor ; a friend to the friendless : a home to the homeless.
S.- -Halt! Wiiy your tongue runs as glibly as our cor-
m
72
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
poral'a when he hears the roll. I asked you but one ques-
tion, and you have given me a matter of a dozen answers
already.
F. M. - Well, hear me out :— The gospel of our blessed
Saviour is a remedy tor sin, a cure for sorrow, a life-purifier,
a death-composer, a hope to the hopeless, a joy to the
wretched, a remover of all things that stand between us
and God, and a heaven to those who look for nothing but
weeping, ami wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
S.—A pretty good list, take it altogether ; but a man
must be a saint belore he deserves the.'-e thmgs.
Y. i)/.— They are not deserved by a saint, but God in
mercy has promised them all to a repentant sinner. If you
are once taught that you are a per'shing sinner, and cry for
mercy to the Father of mercies, you will not cry in vain.
" Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find;
I'nock, and it shall be opened unto you." Come, comrade,
will you be a Christian soldier? Will you enlist?
5.— You're a queer man : I little thought to be tackled
after this fashion when I asked you to 'list for a soldier. _ I
am no great reader, but, if you'll give me that handbill,
1*11 try to spell it over at another time.
Y. iU— Do. comrade, do ; but one word with you before
we part, for I must turn off here ; don't make a light matter
of your eternal salvation. '• The Lord is nigh unto all that
call upon him ; to all that call upon him in truth. lie will
fulfil the desire of them that fear him ; he also will hear
their cry and will save them." But remember the great
review day is at hand, when the Judge of heaven and earth
shall rend the hetwens, and come down in might, majesty,
and dominion, to judge the ass*^mbled world standing: before
his throne. Then will it be seen whether we are true men,
or deserters and rebels. The question what uniform we
have worn will be as dust compared to the more important
inquiry, have we been fiiithful soldiers of Christ, ready to
live and die in his service, willing to share his cross, and
desiring to wear his crown ?
^._Well, comrade, farewell! I'll be as good as my
word, and spell over the handbill.
Y. j¥.— Farewell ! may the words, like arrows, be sent
home to your heart, so that we may yet be soldiers of the
bame corps, and obey the same Captain.
(S- That's a good'feilow. I'll be bound for it, and wishes
well to a soldier, but it's what I did not think of, to be met
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
73
with and taken to in this manner. The truth's the truth,
however, all the world over ; and I do think that many of
us are a most heathenish, ungodly set of folks, and so I said.
I'll spell the handbill over again ; maybe it will do me
good. One thing I see for certain now that I never saw
before ; and that is, that a man may be well armed who
carries neither a musket or bayonet, and also that he may
be a good soldier without being in uniform.
Are we the soldiers of the cross,
The followers of the Lamb?
And shall we fear to own his cause,
Or blush to speak his name ?
Now must we fight if we would reign :
Increase our courage, Lord!
We'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by thy word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they're slain ;
They see the triumph from a'lVir.
And shall with Jesus reign.
When that illustrio'is day shall rise.
And all thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be thine.
THE SEA OF GALILEE.
How pleasant to me thy deep blue wave,
O sea of Galilee !
For the glorious One who came to- save
Hath often stood by thee.
Fair are the lakes in the land I love,
Where pine and heather grow.
But thou hast loveliness far al)ove
What Nature can bestow.
It is not that the wild gazelle
Comes down to drink thy tide,
But he that was pierced to save rr{:jm hell
Oft wandered bv thy side.
74 BABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
It is not that the fig-tree grow:^,
And palms, in thy soft air,
But that Sharon's fair and bleeding ros^
Once spread its fragrance there.
m
Graceful around thee the mountainB meet,
Thou calm reposing sea ;
But ah, far more ! the beautiful feet
Of Jesus walked o'er thee.
These days are past— Bethsaida, where ?
Chorazin, where art thou?
His tent the wild Arab pitches there,
The wild reeds shade thy brow.
Tell mo, ye mouldering fragments, le-l.
Was the Saviour's city Lore ?
Lifted to heaven, hap U sunk to hell,
''.yith none to shed a t?ar?
Ah 1 would my flock from thee might learn
How days oi' grace will flee ;
How all an offered Chi-ist who spurn,
Shall mourn at last, like thee.
And was it beside this very sea
The new-risen Saviour said
Three times to Simon, '• Lovest thou me ?
My laiiibs and sheep ^^ii feed.'
O Saviour ! gone to God's right hand!
Yet the same Saviour still.
Graved on thy heart is this lovely l and
And every fragrant hill.
Oh ! give me. Lord, by this sacred wave,
Threefold thy love divine,
That I may feed, till I find my grave,
Thy flock — both thine and mine.
Sea of Galilee, Uth July, 1839.
"THEY SING THrl SONG OF MO?"^.^."
Dark was the night, the wind was high,
The way by mortals never trod ;
For God had made ihe channel dry,
When faithful Moses stretched the rod.
SADBATII SCHOOL RECITER.
The raging waves on either hand
Stood like a masL^y tott'ring wall,
And on the heaven-dd'ended bund
Refused to If t the waters fall.
With anxioiiH footsteps, Israel trod
The dep'.H of that mysterious way ;
Cheer'd by the pillar of their God,
That ahouo for them with fav'ring ray.
But when they reached the opposing shore
As morning streaked the eastern sky,
They saw the billows hurry o'er
The flower of Pharoah's chivalry.
Then awful gladness filled the miud
Of Israel's mighty ransomed throng;
And while they crazed on ail behind,
Their wonder Lurst into a song.
Thus, thy redeem'd ones, Lord, on earth,
While passing through this vale of weeping,
Mix holy irer ')ling with their mirth,
And anxious watching with their sleeping.
The ni'ht is dark the si •rni is loud,
The \j th no humnn stit ngth can tread;
Jesu^' be thou the !ar-eloud.
Heaven's light pou o' pat to shed.
And oh ! when, lif(!'s darK^jur'^ey o'er,
And death's enshrouding vuli. j past,
We plant our fV-ot on yoi/ ler shore,
And tread you golden strand at last.
Shall we not see with deep amaze,
H( 'V grace hath led us safe along ;
And hilst behind— before, we gaze,
75
Triumphant burst into a son
ir
And even on earth, thou„'h sore bested,
Fi^atings without, and fears within ;
Sprinkled to-day from slavish dread,
To-morrow captive led by din.
Yet would I liif my downcast eye?,
On Thee, thou brilliant tower of fire -
Thou dark cloiid to mine enemies —
That Hope may a i my breast inspire.
76
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
And thus the Lord, my strength, I'll praise,
Though Satan and his legions rage ;
And the swoot song of faith I'll raise,
To cheer me on ny pilgrimage.
Edinburgh, 1835.
EVENING SONG OF THE TYROLESE PEASANTS."
Come to the simset tree I ^
The day ia past an^l gone ;
The woodman's axe Los free,
And the reaper's work is done.
The twilight star to heaven, •
And the summer dew to flowers,
And rest to us is given
By the cool soft evening hours.
Sweet is the hour of rest !
Jt'leasant the wind's low sigh,
And the gleaming of the west,
And the tult whereon we lie.
When the burden and the heat
Of labour's task are o'er,
And kindly voices greet
The tired one at his door.
Come to the sunset tree !
The day is past and gone ;
The woodman's axe lies free,
And the reaper's work is done.
Yes ; tuneful is the sound
That dwells in whispering boughs,
Welcome the freshness round,
And the gale that fans our brows.
But rest more sweet and still
Than ever night-fall gave,
Our longing hearts shall fill
In the world beyond the grave.
♦ " The loved hour o" repose is striking. T.et us come to the sunset
tree." See Captain Shurer's interesting " Notes and Reflections during
a nmble in Germany."
SABBATH SCHOOL RKCITER.
Tbore shall no tempest blow,
No scorching noon-tkic heat ;
There shall be no more snow,
No weary wanderinp^ feet.
And we lifi our trusting eyes,
From the hills our fathers trod,
To the quiet of the skies,
To the Sabbath of our God.
Come to the sunset tree !
The day is past and gone ;
The woodman's axe lies free.
And the reaper's work is done !
n
ENGLAND'S DEFENCES.
"Salvation will God appoint for walls •unl bulwurks."— /sa. xxri. L..
Thou hast thy mighty bulwarks.
Thou island of the brave,
Who sittest on thy sea-girt throne,
The empress of the wave,
Stretching thy sceptre o'er the sea,
With proud, imperial smile.
Waving the banner of the free
O'er ocean and o'er isle.
Thou hast thy bristling ramparts
Where thundering cannon roar ,*
Thou hast thy stately walls of oak
At vigil round thy shore ;
And a hundred gallant argosies
Toss proudly ocean's foam,
And stream thy pennon on the breeze
That wafts thy treasures home.
Ay, spears would rise like forests
Around thy peaceftil bowers,
Ere the banner of a foreign foe
Shall float from England's towers :
The strong would man thy battlements,.
The weak would scorn to flee !
■ '^ti thpOi> f%f£k n/\f fliTT /»MiA ri.n-Pavx.
Dear island of the free.
•-•."J \jsii\j\/j
W SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Thou hast a mightier bulwark
To guard thy hallowed sod—
A praying people, lifting up
The banner of their God ;
A people, weak in carnal might,
Yet strong in faith and love.
Drawing supplies of life and light
From treasuries above.
Thou hast a dauntless people,
Right loyal to their Lord,
Whose aegis is the shield of faith,
Whose brand the Spirit's sword.
And valiant is their noble strife
^Gainst wrong and grief and sin,
Their battle-field the path of life,
Their warfare all within.
Ah I thou hast matchless treasures,
(Though some may prize them not),
Bibles in queenly palaces,
Bibles in hall and cot ;
With Christ's own testament of peace
For every grief and wound,
And jubilees of full release
For souls whom sin hath bound.
Oh, England, haughty England I
Thy towers may mock nur trust.
And battled wall and bannered height
May crumble into dust ;
But Christ will be our sure defence,
And God's own truth shall be
For bulwarks and for battlements —
Dear island ot the free.
THE FISHERMAN'S SONG.
OoMB, messmates I 'tis time to hoist our sail —
It is fair as fair can be ;
And the ebbing tide and northerly gale
Will carry us out to sea.
So down with the boat from the beach so Bteep,
IXTis „„t,-.Mt- >^»^i — .:i.U H.-. _»1.1.! .
T7W lilUCw IJilii, r/iiU liUV OvbblUg; SUIi y
For ere we can spread out our nets in the deep
We've a weary way to run.
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER. 79
A8 through the night-watches we drift about,
We'll think of the times that are fled,
And of Him who once called other fishermen out
To be fishers of men instead.
Like us, they had hunger and cold to bear ;
Rough weather, like us, they knew ;
And He who guarded them by His care
Full often was with them too I
'Twas the fourth long watch of a stormy night,
And but little way they had made.
When He came o'er the watej-s and stood in then' Bight,
And their hearts were sore afraid ;
But He cheer'd their spirits, and said, " It is I,'-
And then they could tear no harm :
And though we cannot behold Him nigh,
He is guarding us still with His arm.
They had toil'd all the night, and had taken nought ;
He commanded the stormy sea—
They let down their nets, and of fishes caught
An hundred and fifty-three.
And good success to our boat He will send,
If we trust in His mercy right,
For He pitieth thoso who at home depend
On what we shall take to-night.
And if ever in danger and fear we are toss'd
About on the stormy deep.
We'll tell how they once thought that all was lost.
When their Lord '* was fast asleep."
He saved them then, he can save us still,
For-his are the winds and the sea ;
And if he is with us, we '11 fear no ill.
Whatever the danger be.
Or if he sees fit that our boat should sink
By a storm or a leak, like lead,
Yet still of the glorious day we '11 think,
When the sea shall yield her dead.
For they who depart in his faith and fear
Shall find that their passage is short
From the troublesome waves that beset life here
fi^M
To the everlasting port.
Rev. J. M. Neaub,
11
80
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITI:R.
THE WATCHMAN'S SONG.
[The watcliraen in Germany amuse themaelves during!
the night by singing their national songs, as well as others
of a more devotional character ; of tlie latter the following
is a specimen, taken from a very interesting work, the
" Autumn on the Rhine." When the verses are gf>od, which
ia frequently the case, the effect is solemn and pleasing.]
" Haek ! ye neighbours, and hear me tell,
Ten now strikes on the belfry bell !
Ten are the holy commandments given
To man below, from God in heaven.
Human watch from harm can't ward us —
God will watch and God will guard us ;
He, through His eternal might,
Give us all a blessed night.
" Hark! ye neighbours, and hear rae tell,
Eleven sounds on the belfry bell I
Eleven apostles, of holy mind.
Taught the Gospel to mankind.
Human watch, &c.
" Hark ! ye neighbours, and hear me tell,
Twelve resounds from the belfry bell !
Twelve disciples to Jesus came,
Who suffered rebuke for their Saviour's name.
Human watch, &q.
" Hark ! ye neiglibours, and hear me tell,
One has peal'd on the belfry bell !
One God alone, one Lord, indeed,
Who bears us forth in our hour of need.
Human watch, &q.
" Hark ! ye neighbours, and hear me tell,
Two resounds on the belfry bell I
Two pathsbetore mankind are free ;—-
Neighbour, choose the best for thee.
Human watch, &c.
" Hark ! ye neighbours, and hear me tell,
Three now tolls on the belfry bell !
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Human watcli, &c.
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
*• Hark! ye neighbours, and hear me tell,
Four are the strokes of the belfry bell !
Four gospels pure to men proclaim
Eternal life in the Saviour's name.
Human watch, &c.
" Hark ! ye neighbours, and hear me tell,
Five now rings on the belfry bell !
Five barley loaves, when Jesus will'd.
Five thousand fed — twelve baskets filled.
Human watch, &c.
" Hark ! ye neighbours, and hear me tell.
Six now tolls from the belfry bell
Six are the days to labour given.
In six days God created heaven.
Human watch, &c.
" Hark ! ye neighbours, and hear me tell,
Seven resounds from the belfry bell !
The seventh day is the sacred rest —
The Ijord's own day, the Sabbath blest.
Human watch. Asc.
" Hark ! ye neighbour. , and hear me tell.
Eight are the strokes of the belfry bell !^
And eight were the souls that the ark did save
Above the flood's o'erwhelming wave.
Human watch, &c.
'' Hark ! ye neighbours, and hear me tell,
Nine has pealed on the belfry bell !
The ninth sad hour saw Jesus die ;
The rocks, the graves, the dead reply.
Human watch from harm can't ward ua —
God will watch and God will guard us ;
He, through His eternal might.
Give us all a blessed night."
81
THE COLPORTEUR.
Undeti his burden bending.
With footsteps weary and sore,
A labouring man is wending
His way on the darksome moor ',
But a Hand unseen and a Tiight within
Beckon him on before :
,.,
82 SABBATH BCHOOL RECITER.
Making tho road seem shorter,
Making the darkness day, *
For he is a blessed colporteur,
Oat on his sacred way —
Bearing the word of the living Lord
To the regioiia far away.
To the people in darkncvss^ pining
Under the shadow of death.
A burning light, and a shining
Beacon across their path ;
The coat on his back, and his well filled pack.
All the provision he hath.
Called by the poor a pedlar,
Called by the rich a tramp,
To the bigot, a would-be meddler,
To the scoffer, only a scamp ;
All honour the more, for he carries the war
Into the enemy's camp ;
Scaling him by the barrier,
Mining him in the ditch.
Or, like a true-bred warrior,
Meeting him in the breach.
Armed with the sword of tbo winning word,
Satan to over-reach I
And out on the early morrow,
Or ever the first cock-crow.
When forth to the farm and ftirrow
The children of lab 'ur go.
With wallet in hand will he take his stand, ,
The seed of the word to sow.
In the shade of the rural byeway.
In the shine of the village mead,
In the town and the public highway,
Wherever a man may tread.
Alike at the door of the rich and poor,
Sowing the precious seed.
J. W. Holme.
W *5^^WW*"P^*^^^WpNwffWB v*€lSrWff^^^PflBWBSBP(* rB
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
TURN THE CARPET;
OR, THE TWO WEAVERS.
In a Dialogue between Dick and John,
As at their work two weavers sat,
Beguiling time with friendly chat,
'J hey to ich'd upon the price of meat,.
So high, a weaver scarce could eat.
" What with my brats and sickly wife,"
Quoth Dick »• I'm almost tired of life ^
JSo hard my work, ao poor my fare,
'Tis more than mortal man can bear.
" How glorious is the rich man's state !
His house so fine ! his wealth so great !
Heaven is unjust, you must agree :
Why all to him ? why none to me ?
" In spite of what the Soriptare teaches,
In spite of all the parson preaches,
This world ^^indced I've thought so long>
Is ruled, methinks, extremely wrong.
** Where'er I look, howe'er I range,
'Tis all confused and hard, and strange i
The good are troubled and oppress'd,
And all the wicked are the bless'd."
Quoth John : " Our ignorance is the cauao-
Why thus we blame oar Maker's laws ;
Parts of his way a alone we know,
'Tis ail that man can see below.
*• See'st thou that carpet, not half done,
Which thou, dear Dick, hast v/ell begun T
Behold tb« wild confu.-.lon there.
So rude the mass it makes one stare ?
" A stranger, ignorant of the trade,
Would 8 ly, no meaning's there conveyed ;
For Where's the middle, where's the bordarf
Thy carpet now is all disorder."
83
;i
< (
Si SABBATIT SCHOOL RECITER.
Qaoth Dick : " My work is yet in bits,
But still in every part it fits ;
Besides, you reason like a lout ;
Why, man, that carpefs inside out "
Says John : " Thou say-st the thing I mean.
And now 1 hope to cure thy spleen ;
This world, which clouds thy soul with doubt,
Is b>.d a carpet inside oxd.
^' As when wo view these shreds and ends,
We know not what the whole intends ;
So when on earth things look but odd,
They're working still some scheme of God.
*' No plan, no pattern, can we trace ;
All wants proportion, truth and grace ;
The motley mixture we deride.
Nor see the boautc'Oiis upper side.
*"■ But when we reach that worUl of light.
And view those works of God aright.
Then shall we see the whole design.
Aiul own the workman is divine.
-'* WTiat now seem random strokes, will there.
All order and design appear ;
Then shall we praise what here we spurn'd.
For then the carpet shall &« iimvdJ^
■**' Tbou'rt right." quoth Dick : '* no more I'll grumble
That this sad world's so strange a jumble ;
My impious doubts are put to flight,
For my own carpel ^els me right."
THK WIDOW'S MITE.
Silently and slow she came.
Shrinking from the proud ones' gaze ;
Tjowly bending, dropt the gift,
Kor did once her bow'd head raise.
She had worked to gain that mite.
Till the heavy eyelids fell.
Stupor came in spite of care.
«THK3te'*nffi(^j!sa)SBW!^iiKVi*ftsww»mfc^^^^
an,
oubt,
d.
re,
1 grumble
She had sat beside the hearth,
Gathering round her thin attire ;
Watched, while keen the wind blew in,
A dying mockery of a tire.
Few there were had marked that gift,
Marked the half-checlced weary sigh ;
Marked the thinness of that cheek,
Marked that hollow, anxious eye.
Those that did. their nostrils raised,
Curled their lips in proud despite.
And, with coarse derisive laugh,
Mocked the widow's humble mite.
And the rich came boldly in.
Brushed the timid woman by ;
And the ringing of their gold
Sounded through the treasury.
Standers-by the offerings praised ;
•* Generous ! liberal ! " cried they ;
While, unnoticed or despised.
There the widow's farthing lay.
But One there was who stood apart.
And whose more than human eye
Saw the mysteries of each heart
Before its brightness open lie.
Turning to his friends, he cried :
" Verily, to you I say.
This poor widow more hath given
Than have all the rest this day.
^' They, in their abundant store,
-Will not find one comfort less j
She hath wrung the last small coin
From her \\ant and wretchedness."
Homeward the poor woman went.
With firnx^r step and heart more light ;
For the blessing of the Lord
Had repaid the widow's mite.
85
Lilt Brknt.
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86 KAUBATII S(niOOIi RKCITKU.
THE HEAP OF HAY.
*TwA8 little Jenny, and she sat
Upon a heap of liay,
Beneath the shadow of a tree,
And read the " Peep of Day.''
The bhickbird sang his merry son^^
Above her curly head ;
And hopping boldly at her feet
Was little robin red.
But Jenny did not care to hear
The merry blackbird sing,
Nor watclied the robin-redbreast siiioothe
His pretty shining wing.
For bending o'er her book slie read
Of Jesus in the sky,
And how the angels conu) to fetch
Good children when they die.
The aged gardener, working near.
Would often look that way,
And wonder why Miss Jenny loved
Her reading more than play.
At length he close and closer drew.
And "Little Miss.'" said he, _
" You have a pretty book : I wish
You 'd read a bit to me."
And little Jenny's eyes of blue
They sparkled as she said.
" 1 '11 read about the death of Christ,
And how he left the dead."
" The death of Christ? "' the gardener asked,
" First tell me who was he ? "
Said Jenny, '•])on't you know the Lord.
Who died for you and me ? "
" Ah ! Miss, I never went to school,''
The poor old mnn replied ;
" It seems as if J 'd heard hi:^ name,
But nothing else beside.*'
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITKR.
87
TliO tears came into Jenny's eyes,
And " Oh ! how sad ! " she said ;
What! have you not in all vour life
The holy Bible road?''
" And did yon never go to church
When you were young? *' said she,
'• Or never say your pretty prayers
Beside your mother's knee ? "
*' No ; I was never taught at all,"'
The aged gardener sighed ;
'' A single word I could not speak
When both my parents died."
•■ Oh, dear! " said Jenny, •■ if you like,
I'll come here every day,
A nd sit beneath this shady tree
And teach you, if I may.
" Come, sit beside me on the grass,
And let lis now begin
To read about the lamb of God,
Who took away cur sin.''
With many thanks the gardener sat
The gentle girl beside.
And heard her tell of Jesus' love,
So boundless, deep, and wide.
And when she closed her pretty book.
He scarce a word could speak ;
His lieart was fuU of thought, and tears
Were on his withered clieek.
■That night, as lost in slumber deep
The aged gardener lay.
Ho di'eamcd that holy angels bright
Stood round the heap of ha3^
And often as he worked next day.
Across the field he 'd look.
To see if little Jenny kind
Was coming with Jicr book.
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88 SA.B13ATH atHOOI UKOITKR.
She came at last— that happy child -
As summer moraing bripjht,
Plucking the king-cups in her way,
And piuk-cdgcil daisies white.
The gardener he had shaken up
- Her soft and fragrant seat.
And swept a pathway through the hay
For Jenny's tripping feet.
Aiul down again they sat and re.^'l :
And all that summer long,
He listened to that pleasant voice
As sweet as wild-bird's song.
And when that lovely field wa^ cleared
Of all the scented bay.
The gardener suffered none to move
Miss Jenny's heap away.
The sunbeam, struggling thro' the leaves
That clothed the elm-tree tall
Upon the light locks and the gv : y
Day after day would tall.
But when those leaves, so deeph -rcen,
Looked yellow in the sun,
And down upon the grass below
. Came floating, one by one.
The aged man and blue-eyed child
Sat talking there no more,
For stretched upon a bed of pain
lie lay iu suff 'ring sore.
And now that dear attentive girl
Would seek his darkened room.
With words and deeds of comfort kind
To cheer him in the gloom.
And he would talk of God and luniven,
And Jesus, as he lay,
And how he learned the love of Christ
Beside the heap of hay.
8 ABBA
SCllOUL RKCITER.
But weakor every day ho grew,
For he was very old,
And in the chmcliyard he was 1;.;!''
r >fore the winter coM.
The re, often as she came fromsrliool,
Wonld little Jenny go.
And leave aroun I the gardener's grave
Small foot-prints in the snow.
And oftener still, when Spring came back,
• She songht the favonrite spot.
And planted on the graRsy nio-'nd
The bine torgeL-nn*-uot ;
And th.aight npon that hapi y s^onl,
Safe in the re 'ms of day.
Who learn 1 Oi her the way u '^avea.
Beside lii- heap of hay.
89
JOSKPUT
A STORV ABOUT THE RAIN.
" 1 AM sad and weary, mother,
1 am weary of my play ;
I am dnll and weary, mothei'.
Throngh this dreary, dismal day.
" In the morning, Avhen I waken'd,
Then I listened to the rain,
And I watched the little streamlets
Chase each other down the pane.
'• And I marked, out on tlie bri.nches,
The poor drencli'd robins cower,
All their merry singing silenced
By that ugly, rattling shower.
" And the cheering sun is hidden
By that chill expanse of grey :
Oh,
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eather, molhoi
Oh, I hate a rainy day
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90 SABBATH SCHOOL RKCITEB.
'' Why have we such dark dajc', motheiv?
For you tell mo • God is love.'
And that he seids naught but blessing
FrtJm his? happy throne above.
'• If I had the power, mother,
I would send no rainy day,
But have sunshine ever smiling.
And have summer ever gay.''
*• Now come hither to me, Harry.
Set thy stool here by my knee,
And I '11 tell a little story
Which may tend to answer thee.
" There was once a lovely summer,
Fiird with bright and splendid days ;
Not a cloudlet speck'd the heaven,
Not a shadow dimmed the blaze.
" But where some tree's heavy foliage
Made a mild and pleasant bower,
Ty'here the weary herds might shelter
From the great sun's scorching power.
'<For awhile, the fields were lovely,
And the summer flowers, in bloom.
Filled the whole air with the fragrance
Of their rich and mixed perlume.
'■ And the birds rang out their nnii^ic
In the laden breezeless air ;
There seem'd no music half so lovely.
And no summer e'er so fair.
<"But each day grew still more sultry.
And the sky more deeply blue.
Till the ev'niug brought no cooling.
And the night no glistening dew.
'• Then the red earth cracked and blistered,
And the fields grew brown and sere,
»r» * '
^^IIU tilC CWXVXX t-I Il-„- TT ■,.-• • "J- — •■ -
Though 'twas early in the yp'^.v.
i/
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
*' And the farmers' looks were anxious,
As they gazed along the plain ;
Man and nature both seemed praying
For one little shower of rain.
'• Then the brooks and springs were dried up,
For no mist-cloud touched the hill,
And the herds low'd in their torment,
' As they sought the vanL-hcd rill.
" And low whispers went of famine.
For the laud was sorely trit?d,
And the flocks grew weak and sickened,
And by hundreds drooped and died.
*' Then with fear all men grew madden'd,
And went rushing too and fro,
For the cry was still for water,
Wheresoe'er a man might go.
'• So the summer Avaned to winter.
And then summer came again ;
Still the heart was not yet gladden 'd
By the Avolcome sound of" ntiu.
'* And the husbandman, in trembling,
Sowed the baked and hardened soil,
But the autumn brought no harvest,
And no blessing on his toil,
•' Then, as rainless winter followed.
Men's hearts failing them for fear.
Dared not contemplate the horror
Of another rainless year.
*' And the sounds of woe and wailing
Were in palace and in cot,
For no home was in that country.
Where the curse had rested not.
n
a
Till men felt it was a judgment.
And bow'd humbly 'neath the hand
Which had stricken down their cattle
And in ashes laid their land.
*' Then their king (whose name was Ahab
k^T;cil\,^lxVUL till. vriiii3Liv."VAt: ti^^ i«xi'_l xs.1 t ttit:*
For he found no springs of water,
Saw no welcome cloud of rain.
02 HABBATII SCHOOL RECITKR.
" But unto him as he journeys
Elijah's startling form appears ;
And the prophet tells the monarch
The reason of those rainless years ;
"For Jehovah's servants smitten,
And his altars in the dust,
And a nation!? heart given over
To idolatry and lust.
" Yet, God is not always angry.
His gracious hand is raised again.
And once more he sends the blessing
Of that hoped for, pray-ed for, rain.
a
Now the prophet seeks the mountain,
And in earnestness he prays.
While his servant, o'er the ocean
Looks with anxious, wistful gaze.
" Ah ! the ocean slumbers deeply,
Bright and cloudless is the sky.
And the sun, in awful glory.
Rides his blazing course on high.
" So unto the praying prophet
Still the servant tells the tale
Of that sky so blue and cloudless:,
And that sea untouched by gale.
" But Elijah's faith is earnest.
And he knows that grace is near.
Though, till seven times, to that servant
Doth no hopeful sign appear.
"Yet, with faith still undiminished.
Is the far horizon scanned •,
' Ha I a cloud ! see in the distance ;
'Tis no bigger than my hand.
" ' Get thee up, thou dark king Ahab,
Up, up quick, and haste away ;
For the rains will overtake thee
E'er the closing of the day.'
" See ! the king in haste is fleeing.
While the clouds roll darkly o'er,
And the thunders crash and battle,
And the bursting torrents pour.
1-
li
A
SABBATH SCHOOL UECITKR.
93
'• There is joy in every dwelling,
As the black clouds wildly flee ;
And they praise the Gracious Giver —
Say, child, have I answered thee? "
THE STRANG RR AND HIS FRIEND.
" Yk have done it unto me." — Matt. xx\'. 40.
A rooTi wayfaring man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way.
Who sued so humbly for relief,
That I can never answer " Nay."
I had not power to ask his name
Whither he went or whence he came ;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love, I knew not why.
Once, when my scanty meal was spread.
He entered — not a word he spake ;
Just perishing for want of bread,
I gave him all : he blessed it, brake,
And ate — but gave me part a^*ain.
Mine was an angel's portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste.
The crust was manna to my taste.
I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock ; his strength was gone ;
The heedless waters mocked his thirst :
He heard it, saw it hurrying on.
I ran to raise the sufferer up ;
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup.
Dipt, and returned it running o'er :
I drank, and never thirsted more.
'Twas night 5 the floods were out ; it blew
A winter hurricane aloof :
I heard his voice abroad, and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof ;
I warmed, I clothed, I Cheered my guest.
Laid him on my own couch to rest 5
In Eden's garden while I dreamed.
94 SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
Stiipt, wounded, beaten nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side ;
I raised his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment : he was healed.
I had myself a wound concealed ;
But from that hour forgot the smart.
And peace bound up my broken heart.
In prison I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor's doom at morn :
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed.
And honoured him 'midst shame and scorn.
My friendship's utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill.
But the free spirit cried, " I will."
Then in a moment to my view '
The stranger darted from disguise ;
The tokens in his hands I knew—
My Saviour stood before mine eyes 1
H3 spake, and my poor name he named ,
" Of me thou hast not been ashamed ;
Those deeds shall thy memorial be ;
Fear not— thou didst them unto me."
THK SAVIOUR.
Hail to the Lord's anointed.
Great David's greater Son ;
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun.
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free ;
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
He comes with succor speedy
To those who suflfer wrong,
To help the poor and ncudj,
And bid the weak be strong ;
SABBATH SCHOOL RECITER.
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Were precious in his sight.
By such he shall be feared
While sun and moon endure,
Beloved, obeyed, revered,
For he shall judge the poor.
Through changing generations,
With justice, mercy, truth.
While stars maintain their stations.
Or moons renew their youth.
He shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth.
And love, joy, hope, like flowers,
Spring in his path to birth.
Before him on the mountains
Shall peace the herald go,
And righteousness in fountains
From hill to valley flow.
Arabia's desert-ranger
To him shall bow the knee ;
The Ethiopiau stranger
His glory come to see.
With off 'rings of devotion.
Ships from the isles shall meet.
To pour the wealth of ocean
In tribute at his feet.
Kings shall fall down before him,
And gold and incense bring ;
All nations shall adore him ;
His praise all nations sing ;
For he shall have dominion
On river, sea, and shore ;
Far as the eagle's pinion.
Or dove's light wing can soar.
96
96
SABBATH SCHOOL REOITlOtt.
For him shall prayers unceasing
And daily vows ascend ;
His kingdom still increasing—
A kingdom without end.
The mountain dews shall nourish
A seed in weakness sown,
Whose fruit shall spread and flourish,
And shake like Lel)anon.
O'er every foe victorious
He on his throne shall rest ;
From age to age more glorious,
All blessing and all blest.
The tide of time shall never
The covenant remove ;
His name shall stand for ever ;
That name to us U love.