The moon, that walks in brightness, says,
GOD is good!-and man, endued
With power to speak his Maker's praise,
Should still repeat that God is good.
Go when the morning shineth,
Go when the moon is bright,
Go when the eve declineth,
Go in the hush of night;
Go with pure mind and feeling,
Fling earthly thoughts away,
And in thy chamber kneeling,
Do thou in secret pray.
Remember all who love tnee,
All who are loved by thee,
Pray for those who hate thee,
If any such there be.
Then for thyself in meekness,
A blessing humbly claim,
And link with each petition
Thy Great Redeemer's Name.
Or if 't is e'er denied thee
In solitude to pray,
Should holy thoughts come o'er thee,
When friends are round thy way;
E'en then the silent breathing
Of thy spirit raised above,
Will reach His throne of glory,
Who is Mercy, Truth, and Love.
Oh! not a joy or blessing
With this can we compare,-
The power that He has given us,
To pour out our souls in prayer!
When thou pin'st in sadness,
Before His footstool fall,
And remember in thy gladness,
Dm I this morn devoutly pray
For God's assistance through the day?
And did I read his sacred Word,
To make my life therewith accord?
Did I for any purpose try
To hide the truth, or tell a lie?
Was I obedient, humble, mild—
Το prove myself a Christian child?
Did I my thoughts with prudence guide,
Checking ill-humor, anger, pride?
Did I my lips from aught refrain
That might my fellow-creature pain?
Did I with cheerful patience bear
The little ills that all must share?
To all my duties through this day,
Did I a due attention pay?
And did I, when the day was o'er,
GOD's watchful care again implore?
SAVIOUR, Thy grace divine impart,
To feed my soul, and cleanse my heart,
And make me meet for heaven above,
To join thy saints in praise and love.
LOVE GOD with all your soul and strength,
With all your heart and mind:
And love your neighbor as yourself;
Be faithful, just, and kind.
Deal with another as you 'd have
Another deal with you;
What you're unwilling to receive,
Be sure you never do.
'Twas at the tranquil twilight hour,
That brings on evening mild,
A mother looked with tender care
Upon her fair young child.
"My daughter," that kind mother said, "You tell me when you 're sad ;Shall I not too with you rejoice? What is 't that makes you glad?"
"Mother," replied that gentle voice,
In tones as soft and sweet
As music of the summer winds,
When they the harp-strings meet
"Mother, you know you used to say
That GOD was good and kind,
And though I was so young and small,
He'd all my actions mind;
Because you said I ought
Ask Him, to keep me free from sin,
In deed, and word, and thought.
"But still I could not understand,
How One I could not see,
And One so very wise and good,
Should ever think of me.
"You told me, then, if I would bring
My little flower-pot nigh,
That you would try and make it plain
That GOD was always by.
"You said, when those round shining seeds
Deep in the earth were hid,
That though I could not see His hand,
I'd see the work it did.
"And soon among the moistened ground
Came up a tender shoot,
So frail, it seemed the gentlest breath
Would tear it from its root.
"My mother dear, although I knew
That all you said was true,
Yet, when I saw my flower grow up,
It made me feel it too.
"And when you were so very sick, And on the bed was laid,
I loved to see my little plant,
That God's kind hand had made.
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