"First the blade, then the ear, after that, Sow in the morn thy seed, To doubt and fear give thou no heed, The highway furrows stock, Drop it where thorns and thistles grow, Scatter it on the rock. The good, the fruitful ground O'er hill and dale by plots 't is found; Grace keeps the precious germs alive And duly shall appear In verdure, beauty, strength, The tender blade, the stalk, the ear, And the full corn at length. Thou canst not toil in vain; Cold, heat, the moist and dry, Shall foster and mature the grain For garners in the sky. James Montgomery 342. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." COME, brethren, let us go ! Our Father is our guide; And, when the way grows steep and dark, Revives and helps us as we rove; Come, brethren, let us go: Gerhard Tersteegen. Tr. Catherine Winkworth 345. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfil: Oh, may it all my powers engage To do my Master's will ! Arm me with jealous care, And oh, thy servant, Lord, prepare Charles Wesley. "Do all to the glory of God." TEACH me, my God and King, To scorn the senses' sway, In all be thou the end. All may of thee partake: But draws, when acted for thy sake, If done to obey thy laws, E'en servile labors shine : Hallowed is toil if this the cause, The meanest work divine. George Herbert. f The mountains climbed, the torrents crossed, The Lord they followed evermore Through many a weary day. From this victorious height How fair the past appears, God's grace and glory shining bright On all the by-gone years. How many, at his call, Have parted from our throng! They watch us from the crystal wall, To us is also nigh. Arise, arise! and tread The future without fears; He leadeth still, whose hand hath led When we have reached the home Our children's children still shall come Rossiter W. Raymond SILVER STREET. S.M. ISAAC SMITH. A MEN. 8 347. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." HAPPY the man who knows His Master to obey, Whose life of care and labor flows Nothing he calls his own; Give us, O God, this mind, In thy great work to stand. AMEN. 'Gainst doubt and shame and fear That all may learn to love and bear, No dreams from toil to charm, Through thy completeness, strong. AMEN. 349. Samuel Johnson. "God loveth a cheerful giver." OH praise our God to-day, His constant mercy bless, Whose love hath helped us on our way, His arm the strength imparts Our daily toil to bear; His grace alone inspires our hearts O happiest work below, Earnest of joy above, To sweeten many a cup of woe, Lord, may it be our choice And weep with them that weep." AMEN. Sir Henry W. Baker. |