Springing in valleys green and low,
And on the mountains high,
And in the silent wilderness
Where no man passes by?

Our outward life requires them not;
Then wherefore had they birth? —
To minister delight to man,

To beautify the earth.

To comfort man, -to whisper hope
Whene'er his faith is dim;

For who so careth for the flowers
Will much more care for him!

THE WOODLAND SANCTUARY.

F. D. HUNTINGTON.

O THOU, that once on Horeb stood
Revealed within the burning tree,
To-day, as well, in each green wood,

Be seen by hearts that yearn for thee.
Each shining leaf is bright with God,
Each bough a prophet's "budding rod,"
Each by thy flaming sun illumed,
Yet each, like Horeb's, unconsumed.

SCENE AFTER A SUMMER SHOWER.

13

O Thou, whose hand poured Jordan's stream,
Whose angel-dove hung o'er its wave,
To hallow with a heavenly gleam

The Son whose love a world would save!
Bring from the waters at our side
Some whisper, gentle as their tide,
Saying, like Christ on Galilee,

That holier lake, - Peace, peace to thee!

We pray, O Lord, who touched the mount,—
We pray through Him who stilled the sea,—
May every outward sight a fount

Of inward life and courage be.
The radiant bush, the white-winged dove,
The fire of faith, the peace of love,
Uplift our souls, and urge them on
To take the cross, to wear the crown.

SCENE AFTER A SUMMER SHOWER.

ANDREWS NORTON.

THE rain is o'er. How dense and bright
Yon pearly clouds reposing lie,—
Cloud above cloud, a glorious sight,
Contrasting with the dark blue sky!

2

In grateful silence, earth receives

The general blessing; fresh and fair, Each flower expands its little leaves, As glad the common joy to share.

The softened sunbeams pour around
A fairy light, uncertain, pale;

The wind flows cool; the scented ground
Is breathing odors on the gale.

'Mid yon rich cloud's voluptuous pile, Methinks some spirit of the air Might rest, to gaze below awhile,

Then turn to bathe and revel there.

The sun breaks forth; from off the scene
Its floating veil of mist is flung;

And all the wilderness of green

With trembling drops of light is hung.

Now gaze on Nature, yet the same,

Glowing with life, by breezes fanned, Luxuriant, lovely, as she came,

Fresh in her youth, from God's own hand.

Hear the rich music of that voice

Which sounds from all below, above

She calls her children to rejoice,

And round them throws her arms of love.

THE PASTOR'S PRAYER AT SUNSET.

Drink in her influence; low-born care,
And all the train of mean desire,
Refuse to breathe this holy air,
And 'mid this living light expire.

15

"ETERNAL Spirit! universal God!

Power inaccessible to human thought,

Save by degrees and steps which Thou hast deigned

To furnish; for this effluence of thyself,
To the infirmity of mortal sense

Vouchsafed, this local transitory type

Of thy paternal splendors, and the pomp
Of those who fill thy courts in highest heaven,
The radiant Cherubim, accept the thanks

Which we, thy humble creatures, here convened,

Presume to offer; we, who, from the breast

Of the frail earth permitted to behold
The faint reflections only of thy face,
Are yet exalted, and in soul adore!

Such as they are who in thy presence stand

Unsullied, incorruptible, and drink
Imperishable majesty streamed forth

From thy empyreal throne, the elect of earth
Shall be, divested at the appointed hour

Of all dishonor, cleansed from mortal stain.

Accomplish, then, their number; and conclude
Time's weary course! Or if, by thy decree,
The consummation that will come by stealth
Be yet far distant, let thy Word prevail, -
Oh! let thy Word prevail, to take away
The sting of human nature. Spread the Law,
As it is written in thy holy Book,

Throughout all lands: let every nation hear
The high behest, and every heart obey ;
Both for the love of purity, and hope
Which it affords, to such as do thy will
And persevere in good, that they shall rise,
To have a nearer view of Thee, in heaven.
-Father of Good! this prayer in bounty grant,
In mercy grant it to thy wretched sons.
Then, nor till then, shall persecution cease,
And cruel wars expire. The way is marked,
The Guide appointed, and the ransom paid.
Alas! the nations who of yore received

These tidings, and in Christian temples meet
The sacred truth to acknowledge, linger still;
Preferring bonds and darkness to a state
Of holy freedom, by redeeming love
Proffered to all, while yet on earth detained.