13. THE CHILD AND THE ANGELS. THE HE sabbath's sun was setting low "Our Father," breathed a voice below, - Beyond the earth, beyond the clouds, "Thy kingdom come," still from the ground That child-like voice did pray; "Thy kingdom come," God's hosts resound Far up the starry way. "Thy will be done," with little tongue "Forever," still those lips repeat Their closing evening prayer; "Forever," floats in music sweet High 'midst the angels there. Charles Swain. T 14. THE CHILD AND THE DOVE. HERE sitteth a dove so white and fair, All on the lily spray, The prayers which the children have said. And back she comes from heaven's gate, And brings - that dove so mild From the Father in heaven who hears her speak A blessing on every child. Then, children, lift up a pious prayer: It hears whatever you say, That heavenly dove so white and fair, All on the lily spray. Fredrika Bremer (Trans. by Mary Howitt). Thou knowest my resting and my rising; Thou understandest my thoughts afar off. And art acquainted with all my ways. Before the word is on my tongue, Behold, O Lord! thou knowest it altogether. If I make my bed in the under-world, behold! thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, Yes, the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. How precious to me are thy thoughts, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with thee. II. I will extol thee, my God, my King; And praise thy name for ever and ever. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; The Lord is good to all, And his tender mercies are over all his works. And raiseth up all that are bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee, And thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thung. The Lord is just in all his ways, And merciful in all his works. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him, — To all that call upon him in truth. He meets the desire of them that fear him; The Lord preserveth all those that love him : Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. He made heaven and earth; The sea, and all that is therein. He keepeth truth forever; He maintaineth the cause of the oppressed; He giveth food to the hungry; He setteth free the prisoners; He openeth the eyes of the blind; He raiseth them that are bowed down; He loveth the good; He defendeth the stranger; He relieveth the fatherless and the widow; He gathereth together the exiles; He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds. |