^^Mii ^^h\~X3.h. ^'c-AyUy/rt *=Jyo-- - - UNITED STATES OF AMEBIC A. THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. Seest thou my home ? 'Tis where you woods are wavin» THE 3lI)£ Songs of (Sctrtl). "Lo these are parts of His ways, but how small a portion is heard of Him." — Job. "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being' understood by the things that are made." — St Paul. WRITTEN FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, AND REVISED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. BOSTON: MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, Depository No. 13 Cornhill. 1845. ■TS«< .AITS'" Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, By CHRISTOPHER O. DEAN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. D "3 9"^ PREFACE. In offering this little book, I would say a few words in regard to its design and aim. Nature, a teacher that is ever before us, has many lessons which we have usually considered of too high an order to be given to children. But it is only when we look at creation in its grandeur that we need think so. She has many plain and simple lessons, and she is too useful and beautiful a teacher to be neglected. I have tried to select the smallest every-day things from which to draw instruction, and at the same time have aimed at an evident and clear moral. In this i# VI PREFACE. way I have hoped that many of the common things of nature might be stamped with thought ; some of these thoughts are, perhaps, above the comprehension of children ; such I hope may suggest to older persons the vast capacity of the teacher which I have pre- sented, and lead them to unravel its deeper mysteries. In many cases I might have brought from the outward world proofs in regard to revelation ; but that was taking too high and at the same time an unnecessary subject for the study of a child. In one or two cases I have made nature explain or exemplify the truths of revealed religion ; but my great desire, throughout the whole, has been to lead both teachers and chil- dren to study the works of God ; and when I consider the greatness of the undertaking to which I have put my hand, viz., the interpretation of these works, I feel that my design is but poorly accomplished. I have hardly opened the portal to this magnificent treasure-house, and it is full of the highest and purest blessings. While writing these few pieces I have learned the powerful influence of nature upon the mind, and I can say from experience that its study cannot fail to make us more spiritually-minded, more devout worshippers of the power we so continually PREFACE. Vll trace, and more humble Christians. That this little book may lead others to the same study, and to the realization of a still deeper and happier experience, is the earnest prayer of The Author. CONTENTS. PAGE. The Forget-me-not, ----- 9 The Songs of Earth, 12 The Drop of Rain, 17 The Star, 19 The Dew-drop, - - - - - - 20 The Thistle and the Rose, 23 The Fir Tree, 26 The Waxberry and the Strawberry, - 27 The Thorn, 30 Sunset, ------- 32 The Clouds, -------34 The Evening Dew and Morning Vapor, - 35 The Zephyr, 37 The Forest Leaves, ----- 42 X CONTENTS. PAGE. The Wild Flowers, - - - - - 44 Day and Night, ._-... 47 The Rivulet, -.■■■- - - - - 49 The Rainbow, ------ 51 The Flower Seed, - - - - - 54 The Camomile, - - - - - - 57 The Blue Harebell, - - - - - 61 Light, - - - - - - - 63 Snow, -65 The Sleep of Winter, 68 The Music of Nature, - - - - 70 The Butterfly and the Bee, 73 The Sunbeam, - - - - - - 75 The Thunder-storm, 79 God's Greatness, - - - - - 81 TU »p»&£ ®$ Mm®m THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE "Let all thy works praise thee, Lord." — King David. "Mother, this flower's winning name, The sweet Forget-me-not, Seems for some absent one to claim Never to be forgot. "And though I know God made the flower, And painted it so blue, I never thought until this hour Perhaps he named it too." 10 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " O no, my child, this name might fall With equal truth and power, On every plant, both great and small, On every tree and flower. " For O, in all earth's varied clime We cannot find a spot But where God says, by works sublime, £ My child, forget me not. " e My power has placed the ocean's bound, My strength the mountains set, And decked with flowers the earth around ; And can you then forget? " ' I gave the birds to sing to thee, The trees to give thee shade, And hoped each gift would wake in thee A thought of him who made.' " Then let us learn, my child, to love These gifts of God aright, J3o that each little flower shall prove A messenger of light. THE FORGET-ME-NOT 1! " Then shall we ever keep in view, Whate'er may be our lot, Gifts which shall hold our memory true, And God be unforgot." 12 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE ®l)£ Songs of €artl). There are, it may be, many kinds of voices in the -world, and none of them is without signification. — St. Paul. If every flower and tree had tongue, And we could hear the song they sung. And if, in mingling with the birds, They all should learn to speak in words, How sweet a song of love and praise Would earth in varied accents raise ; How man would long to join the strain, And grieve to find it all in vain, — And weep to think, when all rejoice, That sin and shame must hush his voice. But sin and shame have closed the ear, Which else might all this music hear; And now, unnoticed by the soul, These strains of thrilling music roll. THE SONGS OF EARTH. 13 But let us try and draw aside This veil of sin, and doubt, and pride, And listen to the voice of song, That floats in every breeze along. The stormy whirlwind, hurrying past, Seems like a trumpet's angry blast; And here no dull-eared worshipper Need ask for its interpreter. " Ye have enough of the winning love Of your Father, and your God ; There ? s justice in his throne above, By which ye must be awed. And vengeance, too, will he sternly use, With his kingly, mighty power; Beware ! I warn you not to refuse The love of his gentler hour." The sea with its roar, as it lashed the shore, Sang a song man loved not to hear ; For he seemed to say, as he turned away, " You speak too plainly of fear. When I bend before my God, and adore, And trustingly look above, 2# 14 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. I should not dare to seek him in prayer, If I could not do it in love." The lark, while mounting from her nest on high, To bathe her wing in the sunny sky, Throws down to man a proof of her care, And offers to bear his message there. " Utter your prayers, ye faithless men, Doubt not they' 11 reach the sky ; I '11 bear them up on my wings, and then Bring down the swift reply. I love to float in the purer air, Far, far, from the earth away ; O strange that you so seldom by prayer In that higher realm will stay." " Trusting myself," said the vine, " I should stay, i Bound by my weakness to earth and to clay ; But gathering strength from a mightier hand, Supported in beauty and power I stand ; And I say to the weak, O never despair, If you long for a higher state, repair THE SONGS OF EARTH. 15 To a Saviour's power, who '11 gladly bestow, When thy earnest, believing prayer shall flow, The greatest blessing thy soul can crave, — That soul from its earth-born state to save." "I have reached my home, so happy and bright," Sang the heaven-aspiring bird ; And the echo rang from height to height, And faintly by man was heard ; " I have reached my home, and my weary wing Is now for ever at rest ; O sweet are the songs I have learned to sing, And happy and safe my nest." " You are far away," said a child at play, " But I shall rise higher than you ; Your home, though high, is beneath the sky, But mine is a great way through ; You can delight in your craggy height, And rejoice in your earthly rest ; Bat I can aspire to a heaven higher, To a home supremely blest." 16 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. And man, do you hear the warning call That 's uttered so loud by the waterfall ? " Make haste, make haste, let your work be done, For the stream of time is hurrying on ; Make haste, make haste, for its current is strong, And ye must be borne by that current along." I have said enough ; these songs, so clear, Need but a meek, attentive ear ; And hearts that are attuned aright, Find nature's book a book of light, And gather from its glowing page A heart-rejoicing heritage. THE DROP OF RAIN. 17 3ttje JBrqj of ftaitt. A little drop, while falling to earthy From its home in the distant sky, As it sadly left the place of its birth, On the cold, damp ground to lie, Grieved o'er its low and distressing fall, O'er its sad, unhappy fate, When a cheerful neighbor bid him recall His hasty words, and to wait. He waited, and soon a sunbeam's light Flashed on his downward way, And a rainbow, beautiful, clear and bright, % Now made him wish to stay. 18 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " O, wonderful beauty," the murmurer cried, " What magic power is thine ? " " That wonderful beauty," his friend replied, " Is yours as well as mine." Onward he went, and a violet's leaf By his pressure he gently bowed ; O thought he then, with a shade of grief, Of his far off home in the cloud ? The sun arose with its glorious light, And all nature joined in her lays ; And the dew-drop offered its humble mite, And ascended to heaven in praise. THE S TAR. 19 % Star. The trembling voice of a distant star, Listening we seem to hear; For it comes, though its home is away so far, With its teaching, plain and clear. " The beauties of earth are rich to my sight, As I take my nightly course ; And I hear, with more than human delight, Earth's many tongues discourse. " But when I think of the glories above, Contrasted with those below, I pity the mortal whose blinded love Leads him down to darkness and woe." 20 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. <% JBeto^kop. 'May tbe beauty of the Lord our God be upon us." King David. " The trees are hung with pearls to-day, Pray, mother, come and see; They seem to dance on every spray, As bright as they can be. " They 're nothing, true, but drops of rain, Although they look so bright, For see, they look like drops again, When I impede the light." " O, rather see, my child, what grace To every drop is given, To show within its tiny face The counterpart of heaven. THE DE W-DRO P. 21 "I'll tell thee what it longs to say, My little child, to thee ; And what its heaven-borrowed ray Is urging thee to be. " ' O thou art frail as I, and show No beauty of thine own ; But Heaven such beauties can bestow As earth has never known. " ' You, little child, who gaze on me, And envy me my light, Must learn that there is still for thee A beauty far more bright. " ' For I reflect the outward sky, Oft filled with storm and shade ; You must reflect the God on high, Who you and all things made. " < The beauties of thy God can shine Faintly, my child, in thee ; Then let each simple act of thine Speak forth his purity. 22 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " ' O catch the rays he '11 gladly pour Upon thy willing soul ; And show, by all thy little store, The beauty of the whole. " ' I show his condescending care, And you his highest love ; My praise but lingers on the air, — Yours will be heard above.' "And yours, sweet dew-drop, not in vain Has taken words to-day, For mine shall mingle in the strain, And bear it on its way. "And thy sweet song shall often speak To my remembering heart ; And when desires have grown too weak. New vigor shall impart." THE THISTLE AND THE ROSE. 23 Stye Stytetle emir % ftostf. " I rejoice to see you, my sister dear, And seek your friendship again ; 'T is a shame that those related so near No friendly tie should retain. " And the thistle drew near, and roughly tried To salute the rose that grew at its side. "My sister! " the wonder-struck rose replied, " I do not regard you as such ; " And gently turning her face aside, Recoiled from its piercing touch. But the thistle held out its thorny hand, And seemed to speak in a tone of command. 24 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. "And so you would scorn your sister. Miss Rose, Because she was not born With beauty like yours : our sisterhood grows From another source, the thorn ; For you cannot conceal, though I know you Ve tried, The long, sharp thorn that grows from your side." " I own, with grief, which I must reveal, That what you say is quite true ; And when I think of my thorn, I feel That my charms are still too few ; And I try to give a sweeter perfume, And to throw on my cheek a brighter bloom ; And many a friend is willing to take A thorn, for the sweet return I make." The thistle had answered this meek reproof, For she tossed her crimson head, When a listening bluebell, standing aloof, Bent forward her leaves, and said : " One failing can easily be forgiven, When a cluster of virtues tell THE THISTLE AND THE ROSE. 25 How long and patiently we J ve striven To live and to labor well. But when failings are made to foster our pride, Rebuke cannot then be too sternly applied ; And our boast should be, in resembling another, That we own the beauties we see in our brother." 3# 26 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. Stye Six ®ra. My head will almost reach the cloud, My feet stand firm and sure ; And when the tempest screams aloud, I still shall stand secure ; For rooted in the solid truth, And reaching up to heaven, I know that fresh and blooming youth Will constantly be given. THE WAXBERRY AND STRAWBERRY. 27 <&l)t iltebmrg ani % 0trat»bjerrg. BEAUTY INEEKIOR TO USEFULNESS. The waxberry hung its snowy balls Above a strawberry -bed ; And ever anon a white pearl falls Among the strawberries red. "As we 're equal in form and beauty too, Although I grow on a tree, [through, I '11 break," said the fair one, " all etiquette And make a visit to thee." " I greet you kindly, my lovely friend, And your call with gladness receive ; Yet why you think that you condescend, I own I cannot perceive. 28 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " You blossom above, 't is very true, — Our Maker has placed you there ; And that you so fair and beautiful grow You owe alone to his care. " The greater the light that falls on your state, The greater the good you can do ; This only, my friend, can make you great, And prove an advantage true. " But if duties by you are left undone, If your cares are all forgot, You '11 lament at last your brighter sun, Your high but fatal lot. "And I, if I ripen my fruit on the ground, In clusters invitingly sweet, [crowned, With the greater good my life shall be Though I grow beneath your feet." The waxberry heard this kind address, To which she had given the text, And hearing a footfall near her press, She feared what was coming next. THE WAX BERRY AND STRAWBERRY. 29 O sadly now she grieved at the fall So great to her foolish pride, And vainly wished the light to recall Of the truth she could not hide. For a passer-by saw the strawberry red, And as he hastily tried To reach the prize, he crushed in his tread . The profitless berry beside. " I grieve for her fate," the strawberry said, As it graced the banquet store ; " But as she was useless, living or dead, She needed to live no more. " Her beauty, indeed, was sweet to the sight, But beauty alone cannot give, To those who admire it, a real delight, Or the owner a claim to live. "But if while living we spend our breath In duty and friendship sincere, Many a one will be found at our death To shed o'er our grave a tear." 30 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE ®t)e Sljont. 'And the soldiexs platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head." — St. John. Our Saviour wore a crown of thorn. With not one rose entwined ; And more did this sad crown adorn Than that he left behind. And gladly did he press it there Upon his godlike brow, Knowing that in our path, more fair, Would bloom the roses now. O when we grasp the fragrant flowers That throw such beauty round, And murmur, midst our blushing bowers, That still a thorn is found, THE THORN 31 O let us think of him who wore The thorn, without the rose, And bear, as patiently he bore, Our fewer, lighter woes. 32 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE, Snmtt " O ! see the sky is very bright, And all the clouds are red, And there is still a lingering light, Although the sun is fled. " I dread to see the night appear, But yet it so beguiles, That I forget my doubt and fear, And greet it with my smiles. " Why is the sun's expiring ray So fraught with calm delight? And why alone at close of day Sheds he his sweetest light ? ' ; SUNSET. 33 'T was thus my Mary thought at night. And thus did gently say, And then she looked beyond that sight, And knelt her down to pray. She prayed to him who gave the light, And her the power to love ; For she had learned that all delight Came from her God above. She thanked him for the lesson taught By that sweet twilight hour, And prayed that o'er her future thought It might not lose its power. She prayed that all her life might shine Clear as that cloudless sky, And still its light grow more divine, When she was called to die ; — And when she laid her down to rest, When all her work was done, She had learned a lesson pure and blest From that^declining sun. 34 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE We thank thee, kind cloud, for thy friendly- shower On this sultry summer day ; It falls so refreshing on grass and flower, And paints them so fresh and gay. " O thank not me, but look farther above, Far up through my dusky form, To the power who guides, in infinite love, The lightning, thunder and storm." EVENING DEW AND MORNING VAPOR. 35 Stye (Setting Bm anb Jttormng frapor. How gently falls the dew at night, So silent and alone ; How patient till the morrow's light Shall make its beauties known. And then how fervently ascend, With every morning's light, Thanks for the blessings which descend So silently at night. How lovingly doth heaven give Her blessings from above ; How gratefully doth earth receive, And offer love for love. 36 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE O many a gift the heavens give To us, if we discern ; Let earth then teach us to receive, And how we can return. And for the gentle twilight dew, Which every morn displays, Let us our gratitude renew, And early offering raise. THE ZEPHYR. 37 <£l)e &pf)2r. THE FOWEB OE GENTLENESS. The King of the wind once sent a warm breeze To sing a song of love to the trees, To woo the flowers by its genial air, To trust their graceful forms to his care, To adorn all nature with beauty and light, And to bring him word when all was right. For he had determined, so long confined, He 'd take a gallop, this angry wind ; But he bid his servant be sure and display All nature robed for a gala day. The gentle messenger hied him away, Yet needed not long at his task to stay, 38 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. For his winning voice brought out the flowers, And his presence alone could deck the bowers. All earth was rejoiced to see his face, And he left behind him a beautiful trace Of flowers and grass, in every place. He breathed on the skies, and a sunny blue Over the arch of heaven flew ; And if he but shed a single tear, A brilliant rainbow would soon appear. He found the earth in her saddest gloom ; He left her dressed in her richest bloom, And sped him back to his master's throne, To tell him the trees and flowers were blown, That all was clothed in its robe of spring, Ready to hail its mighty king. The bustle, the noise, the stir, was great, And the king appeared in his robe of state, Surrounded by all the pomp and pride [ride. Which his majesty shows when he takes a But this king was not in a pleasant vein, For he spurred his steed, and grasped his rein, And bid his gallants keep close beside, For he must move fast when he went to ride, And earth and nature should tremble, and own His kingly power, with mighty groan. THE ZEPHYE. 39 The young breeze saw, with a gentle sigh. The fiery king and his train pass by, And waited, with trembling fear and concern, The time when his angry lord should return. He came, but O, so cold was his breath, It almost chilled the poor zephyr to death. He spoke in scorn, and his words were rough, — " Do you make your springs of such blighted stuff? Do you cause your flowers to lie on the ground, And your trees to give such a mournful sound ? Do you make your skies so dark, that the sun Is compelled to leave his work undone ; If black is the color you love the best, In black I will speedily have you dressed." The sweet reply of the zephyr fell Like the waking notes of a tuneful swell, And hushed, by its truthful power alone, The sounding blast of his master's tone. " The beauty, my lord, which my smile produced, Is soon by your majesty's frown reduced ; 40 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. Nor can I create a single flower Prepared to withstand your angry power. And the zephyr tried with his healing breath To revive the flowers from their icy death ; They sprang from the frozen earth, and smiled, And the sun returned with a face so mild, That the king replied, in a gentler tone, " Thy power is great, and I freely own That the force of love is more than my own. Henceforth thy place shall be next to mine, For the power of that place is already thine ; Henceforth with thee I '11 divide the year, And give up a part of my kingdom of fear ; Together we '11 reign, though different still Is the object and aim of our kingly will ; For thou wilt rule with the wand of light, And I with the rod of storm and might ; Thy work shall be, to create and bestow, And mine, to blast, destroy and o'erthrow ; Thy reign shall be hailed with joy and delight, And mine with feelings of sorrow and fright ; And though thy presence will always pour Contempt and hatred on mine the more, Yet I love thee well, though I scorn to share In thy winning voice and thy sunny air." THE ZEPHYR 41 The words are true, for the zephyr's power Is loved, though it last but a single hour ; And we look with dread on the tyrant's reign, That brings the snow and ice in his train. And gentleness always will win the soul, Though 'twould blush to bend to a stern control. 42 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE ®l)c Joxtzt ftzavts. The forest leaves wave proud and high, And through the summer touch the sky, Forgetful of their doom ; But though they looked so fresh and green, Yet in the autumn it is seen They waved above their tomb. The winter's chilly breath passed by, And then they left their homes on high, With blush of crimson dyed ; Too high they soared, too low they fell, And the hoarse winds too roughly tell The story of their pride. THE FOREST LEAVES 43 Not so with us, of lowly birth, And real, unpretending worth, Not such shall be our end ; But rising, with each rising sun, With life well spent, when life is done, We shall in hope ascend. 44 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. % tUUb Jloroors. OR KIND WORDS. A thousand little flowers will spring Around one tree. And beauty with its shadow fling, Kindly and free. And flower and tree would seem to say, United thus, " Your lives can be a summer's day, Living like us." And should we blend the great and sweet Together so, Pleasures would spring around our feet, Rejoiced to grow. THE WILD FLOWERS. 45 For greatness would not lose its power To yield to less ; And joys that wither in an hour Have power to bless. The purest actions always need A loving word ; O, life would scarce be life indeed, Were this not heard. And thousands, too, should bloom around Our daily toil ; — Thank God, these flowers of life are found On every soil. Nor think our breath is vainly spent While speaking these ; Why were the sweet, bright flowers sent If not to please ? And loving words possess the power Of these wild flowers ; Cheating from life's painful dower The darkest hours. 46 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. And did they spring as freely round Our onward way, Tell me, would not life be found A summer's day? DAY AND NIGHT. 47 JUag anir Jftgljt. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." — King David. O nature never stops her song Of praise, through day or night ; The weak still borrows from the strong And learns the tune aright. The day, with plain and earnest speech, Proclaims a God of power ; And night can equal lessons teach By her impressive hour. O think how great and strong is he Who made the rising sun ; How wonderful the majesty That spake, and it was done. 48 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. The moon, — how kind and good is he Who bade its gentle light To shine, so generous and free, To beautify the night. The stars, — O what can tell his care, What fully speak his love ? So many glories thus to spare To shadow those above. The earth, she, too, in beauty dressed, Doth loudly seem to tell, Although beneath a curse oppressed, That he hath made it well. Sun, moon and stars, we listen still To your primeval song, And mourn that we have spurned his will, And filled this world with wrong. THE RIVULET. 49 5% Eumkt why do you murmur, sweet rivulet, say, As you bound like myself along ? Restrain, I pray, your complaints to-day, For I wish to join your song. " Complain ! my song is a song of love, As I run between my banks, While to the trees that wave kindly above I constantly carol my thanks. " Complain ! when the flowers that grow at my side Mirror their forms on my breast ; 1 feel, as I clasp them in conscious pride, Too glad and happy to rest. 5# 50 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " O let us rejoice in our being, and raise A grateful song to the giver ; And we will not cease to sing his praise, Who hath made both man and river." THE RAINBOW. 51 &t)e ftambotn. a Why, mother, was the rainbow given, And placed so far away ? And why in that dark arch of heaven Does it no longer stay ? " It only comes in storm and rain, And then it seems to say, I 'm sure I will not come again, You treat me so ill to-day. "And then it goes away and stays, Until another shower Calls forth again its welcome rays, — Its sweet and gentle power. 52 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " How sad to know this brilliant light Must die amidst the rain ; Mother, to see this charming sight I 'd call the storm again." " But do you, child, interpret right The lesson it would teach? For plain its moral, though its light Is far beyond your reach. " It comes, you say, in storm and rain, And that would seem to show There 's some relief to every pain Which we are doomed to know. " It says we need not fear the rain, For soon the shower shall cease ; And then the sun will come again, And give us light and peace. "And though in future years you '11 learn That all this world is grief, Yet often will this bow return, And give you sweet relief. THE RIVULET. 53 "And O, my child, when sorrow's hour Has taught you doubt and fear, You '11 know how welcome is the power That wipes away the tear. "And truly will you bless the love That pours the brightest ray That ever falls from heaven above, .Upon the darkest day. "And see, besides, that brilliant bow In heaven alone doth shine ; And there, whence all true pleasures flow, Learn early to draw thine. "And then amidst each shower of grief A rainbow will appear, With its bright promise give relief, And dry each falling tear. "Now never will you ask again Why was its beauty given ; Nor why it does so fixed remain Amidst the storms in heaven." 54 THE TEACHINGS OF NATUE Slje Jlomer Sab. "If a man die, shall he live again?" — Job. " Charley, my dear, in the early spring. When I made my garden bed, You laughed at my doing so strange a thing As planting seeds that were dead. "And you were sure I never should see The leaves come bursting out ; For O you thought how strange it would be If all those seeds should sprout. " I told you to wait till the gentle dew, The sunshine, and the shower, Had shown us all that they could do To draw from the seed the flower. THE FLOWER SEED. 55 "And do n't you remember, after a while I wished you to come and see [smile, My garden bed, and you asked, with a Where all those seeds could be ? " I told you then that every seed Contained a living power, Which, from the dry envelope freed, .Would soon produce a flower. "And often since then you have watched my flowers, While growing, you knew not how ; But a garden stranger than these bright bowers Invites our attention now." And the mother led her thoughtless son To a gloomy burial-ground ; [on, And there, as they thoughtfully wandered A newly-made grave they found. Flowers were growing around the tomb, The rose and the scented brier ; 56 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. And they seemed to say, by their bright., rich bloom. That a mother's love was there. " O Willie's grave is a beautiful place Now the flowers are all in bloom ; " And when he raised his innocent face It had lost its gathered gloom. " But the fairest flower, my Charley, dear? That plant has ever given, Will spring from the seed now buried here? And bloom in the bowers of heaven. " The harvest-day will surely appear, When this seed will burst the sod, And free from all that could mar it here? Shine forth by the throne of God. THE CAMOMILE. 57 ®t)£ (damomxU. " O, I am forgotten in your bouquet," The lowly, sweet camomile seemed to say, " For I have no blossom of gaudy hue Or gorgeous beauty to offer you ; My value is more to be felt than seen, And is often hid in my dusky green ; And I am sure to lie untouched at your feet While others are chosen not half so sweet ; Their colors are bright, and their forms are fair, But have they of fragrance an equal share ? " The camomile's low and complaining song Was borne by a friendly zephyr along, 58 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. And came to the ears of a child one day, Who was plucking flowers for a friend's bouquet. She looked at the plant : " What claim can you bring To a place in my vase, presumptuous thing ? This marigold here would disdain to own That both in the self-same garden had grown ; And the larkspur, coxcomb, and fragrant rose, Would crimson with shame, should I once propose To place so humble a thing by their side." " Stay, stay, little Julia, nor rashly decide The place of the plant, till its worth is tried ; For all my power (and it blushed, the sweet rose,) Lies not in the beauty my leaves disclose ; But the fragrant breath I freely bestow, Is the reason you love me so much, I know ; And the little plant you so rudely scorn, With a much sweeter breath than mine is born." " Sweeter than yours ? " and she stooped down and broke A leaf from the lowly plant as she spoke. THE CAMOMILE. 59 " You may choose your place in my dear bouquet, For I prize your fragrance more than display." And she plucked still more, and placed it around The showy flowers she had gathered and bound ; And a perfume came from the stems she crushed So sweet that all envious murmur was hushed ; And each of the flowers very wisely chose To offer their praise with the friendly rose. And Julia said, as she placed the bouquet In the hand of her friend, " I have learned to-day That the outward form does not always show The virtue that lies deeply hid below ; For the sweetest fragrance is often found In plants where beauties the least abound. And besides," she mused, as she turned away, " I have learned still more from that sweet bouquet ; — That genuine worth is the soonest to see The worth of another, whatever it be ; 60 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. And the soonest, too, to lay aside All feelings of envy, malice and pride ; But that false pretence will too often use The weapons that real worth would refuse. THE BLUE HAREBELL. 61 % Mm ffjariMl * " O, mother, reach those pretty flowers, ' Those flowers of deepest blue ; They look as if from heavenly bowers They just had fallen through. " They seem to speak of distant bliss, And bend their graceful forms, Too tender for a world like this, A world so full of storms. " O strange that flowers so sweet and bright Should bloom in such a place, And thus their beauty give delight Where nothing less could grace." * These flowers, so delicate in their appearance, grow only from the rocks. 6# 62 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " Not strange, my child, that rock and flower Should be united so ; But wonderfully good the power That made such beauty grow. "And very wise and kind the will That gave them both to earth ; Placed so that each increases still The other's real worth. "And see the sweetest flowerets grow From so secure a place ; — For only craggy rocks can show The harebell's winning grace. " Thus gentlest virtues ever spring From principles as sure ; Ah, happy when the soul can bring Foundation so secure. "And happy when proud man will take This lesson from the earth, [make And feel how much these sweet flowers Its beauty and its worth." LIGHT. 63 «#• 'I am the light of the world." — "Te are the light of the •world." — Jesus Chbist. The sunshine in its gentle fall Comes cheerfully alike on all ; The rich can never lay in store. The poor can never ask for more. The man upright in all his ways Is lighted by its generous rays ; The man of sin has still the light To guide him to a path of right. And beings that no thanks can give Still in the needed sunshine live ; And every living thing displays The power of these reviving rays. But there is a light more loved, when known. Than that which from the sun is thrown ; 64 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. A light which can renew, revive, And keep the soul in health alive; A light which falls upon our hearts, And blessings with its rays imparts. But more than sunlight hath it power To chase away our darkest hour ; To change the storm-clouds, which we dread, To summer brightness round our head, And make the coldest winter day Pass like a dream of heaven away. Still more unlike the sunny light That makes this outward world so bright, This soul-light, higher in its source, Can give to him who feels its force, The power to be himself a sun, Like that which angels gaze upon. Then while each little flower looks up And asks the sun to fill its cup, We must go higher in our flight, And fill our souls with heavenly light, And bless the darkened earth around With sunshine that can there be found, And show, by rays so freely given, How much earth can be made like heaven. SNOW. 65 StIOtD. OR THE ROBE OE RIGHTEOUSNESS. " O see how white is the snowy dress The earth has put on to-day ; How kind and gentle its pure impress, So lovely without display. " It covers the dark and frozen ground, And makes it look so white, And scatters its feathered flakes around As freely as rays of light. " It conceals the harm the frost has done So roughly to tree and flower ; And seems a garment in heaven spun, By some angelic power. 66 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. A mother hearing her little son So sweetly his joy express, [done, Thought, as she saw what the snow had Of the " robe of righteousness," And said, while the sun was making more bright The snowy mantle around, [white " Would you like to know where a robe as For you and I can be found ? "For sin, like the frost, has spoiled the flowers Which our hearts and lives should show ; Like the frozen earth, these souls of ours Require a garment of snow. "But heaven, my child, has a dress as pure As this for our souls to wear ; And every one can this garment secure, If he will but ask for it there. " This robe is worn by meekness and faith, Is kept by a life of prayer, — Is shown by doing what Jesus saith, With patient and trusting care. snow. 67 " 0,Willie, there's a robe for children to wear, Lasting through ages untold ; And not a stain will its beauty impair, For it never can grow old. "And dressed in this robe of a Saviour's love When summoned before his throne, His Father will greet us in realms above, As children of his own. "And as he may call you in childhood's day To stand before him there, Begin, my dear little boy, I pray, Even now this robe to wear." 68 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. ®t)e 0kqj of tD inter. " Is the earth dead, mother ? Or does she sleep ? And will she ever wake From rest so deep ? " " We labor for a day, And then we rest ; So earth with summer's work Becomes oppressed. " Her duty being done, She seeks repose, While we lament and grieve Over her snows. THE SLEEP OF WINTER 69 " 'T were well if we, like her, When life is spent, Could lay our task aside, With calm content, "And wrap, in joyful hope, Our mantle round, And gently lay us down To sleep as sound. 70 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. ®lj€ Mnsk of Nature. No speech nor language, yet their voice is heard, Ktsg David. The earth is filled with harmonious sound, Diffused like the light and air ; And the listening ear hath ever found Rich melody every where. Earth's silent things are never so mute As man is wont to believe ; They 're strings of a strange, mysterious lute, All waiting a touch to receive. And the Christian's heart, as it strikes the lyre, Can drink in its uttered tone, THE MUSIC OF NATURE. 71 And feel, as it wafts the spirit higher, How much there is yet unknown. How sweet, on a quiet summer's night, To hear this music ascend, And feel, as all things are bringing their mite, How tunefully they blend. The breath of the night-wind fans the leaves, And asks the help of their lays ; And soon from each different tree receives A different note of praise. The river keeps on its changeless roar Like a key-note deep and strong ; And the bubbling brook, it giveth still more The very motion of song. The low, sweet hum of the roving bee, The buzz of the restless fly, The chirp of the cricket, so loud and free, All make sweet melody. 72 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. And that starry lyre that spans the earth, With its far-reaching line,* Has sent forth since creation's birth, A music all divine. That glorious harp, at night revealed To man's adoring eye, Hath yet from a listening world concealed Its richest melody. Yet while its glorious strains can fill That higher world with bliss, Some notes, not needed there, give still Much melody to this. Earth's single strain, I love it well ; 'T is music to my soul ; But with what bliss my heart will swell When I shall hear the whole. *" Their line (i. e., note, sound) is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." Psalm 19: 4. THE BUTTERFLY AND THE BEE. 73 3U)e Dtrtteflg anir % 3te. SELFISHNESS THE CAUSE OF UNHAPPINESS. The butterfly roamed from flower to flower, But found satisfaction in none ; There was not one in garden or bower That could give him content alone. While spending his time in the vain essay To find somewhere a place of rest, A happy bee was bearing away A burden of sweets in her breast. " I wish, friend bee, you would tell me why You seem so full of delight ; I cannot, although I 'm sure I try, Feel half so happy and bright. 7* 74 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " The secret/' said she, " of ray happiness lies In being so fully employed ; For time that is spent in idleness dies, And leaves no moments enjoyed. " The flowers are all delighted to give The honey for which I ask ; And the busy life I always live Seems far from being a task. " Go work all day, and try to bestow On others some happiness too ; And you will find your own bosom will glow, With a pleasure always new." The butterfly turned away from the friend That gave him advice so true, But did not at all his manners amend, But did as he used to do. And still he roams from flower to flower, So selfish in every call ; But the bee, unwearied, from hour to hour Still gathers honey from all. THE SUNBEAM. 75 STIje Stmbmm. OR THE PLEASURE OF GIVING. " It is hard to leave a home like mine, So cheerful, serene and bright, And every day for others to shine, Thus giving away my light. " It is hard to give my light and heat, And never to meet return ; For that always giving is so very sweet, Is a lesson I cannot learn." It was thus a sunbeam said, yet his light So well concealed his dark thought, That all things in this earthly night The joy of his presence sought. 76 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. " How sweet is the light of this sunny day," The children thoughtlessly sang ; And as they bounded in joyous play, Their voices right merrily rang. " How grateful to me is this summer light," Said a man of threescore years ; " It seems to brighten decaying sight, And to drive away my fears ; " It brings my childhood's more innocent day Once more to this aged heart, And seems, with its almost forgotten ray, Youth's cheerfulness to impart." " We '11 sing thee a song for thy welcome light, Sang a thousand grateful birds ; And their tuneful voices spoke delight As plain as human words. " I '11 give thee my tears," said a violet blue ; " They 're nectar," the sunbeam cried, As it drank up the tiny drops of dew That in vain its grace would hide. THE SUNBEAM. 77 " I offer my leaves for a friendly kiss/' Said a modest, blushing rose ; And the sunbeam tasting its fragrant bliss ? There wished for a long repose. All earth with its varied voices rang, To salute the sunbeam's light, That now on its course rejoicing, sang Of the power to give delight. And the song it sang on its onward way I pray that each child may learn : — " I 've tried, and found, that giving away Brings with it a sweet return ; " To cause a smile, or to dry a tear, Or to lighten a darkened heart ; To raise a hope, or relieve a fear, Or bid one shadow depart, " Is joy the greatest that ever on earth To a living thing is given ; For it comes unsullied in its birth, As the purest gift from heaven. 78 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. "And in all my future days I '11 live For this highest, truest joy ; And all my thoughts and my talents give To this angelic employ," And the sunbeam danced upon its way With a warmer, clearer light, Receiving and giving with every ray An ever-increasing delight. »W << THE THUNDER-STORM. 79 st0rm. Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and not evil ? " — Job. Lucy sat at her mother's side, And watched the waving trees, . Whose bending branches sadly sighed, Touched by the stormy breeze. She almost trembled as she heard The thunder's distant roar, And hardly dared to speak a word As the clouds began to lower. But when the lightning's dazzling flash Came on so fast and thick, And when the nearer thunder's crash Followed, so deep and quick, 80 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. She could not hide her secret fear, But with a simple thought Drawing her mother's arms more near, She there for shelter sought. But soon the storm passed off; the sky Assumed a brighter hue ; While the hoarse winds in cadence die, And zephyrs sing anew. Then Lucy, like a happy bird, Felt the returning light ; [word, And showed, by thoughtless laugh and Her innocent delight. " How glad the little birds must be To think the storm is done ; How joyfully from every tree They greet the cheering sun." £ - Their songs are sweet," her mother said ; " But Lucy, 't is in praise To Him who turned the storm aside That they their anthems raise. THE THUNDER-STORM. 81 "And should not they, who deeper feel The pleasure and the pain, Their heartfelt gratitude reveal For mercies sent again ? " Should you, who felt the greatest fear, No grateful tribute bring ? Should you, whose joy is more sincere, ■ Refuse your offering ? " And Lucy owned that far too true Were these mild, chiding words ; And willingly in future drew A lesson from the birds ; She learned, like them, to fear no ill, Sure of her Father's care ; But raise, with more devotion still, Her grateful praise and prayer. 82 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. (BoVb ®rmttt£00. " Canst thou by searching find out God? " — Job. " The only "begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." — St. John. We have seen thy works, O God, and read The greatness of thy power ;— Our wonder, love and praise are fed By bird, and tree, and flower. We have deeply felt that all unknown Thy ways to us must be ; And plainly hath creation shown That we must bow to thee ; Bow to the sceptre of thy power, The mandate of thy will, And feel, in each successive hour, That thou art reigning still. god's greatness. 83 Thy purposes are still the same As on creation's morn ; And praise each rising sun should claim As if 't were newly born. To understand thy works around In vain our souls have tried ; And studying thee, O God, we 've found The folly of our pride. We cannot tell how one small flower Or little worm is made ; But O, the wonders of thy power Have made our souls afraid. We 've sought in vain thy dwelling-place, We 've never seen thy form, But as thy angry breath we trace The whirlwind and the storm. We 've never, never found thee out, We know not where to seek ; Dark clouds encompass thee about, And low doth nature speak. 84 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. If left to read thy works alone, How sad would be our lot ; Unlighted by thy word, we own, O God, we know thee not. But O, we thank thee, that while doubt Darkened the path we trod, Thou from thy bosom didst send out One to declare our God. Now God is known ; O now how plain Doth nature's page appear ; And as we read it o'er again, We lose our doubt and fear. We joy to own the love and care That now we round us see ; And gladly through thy works repair, Our Father, God, to thee. Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16056 (724)779-2111