THE FEAR OF THE LORD.

21

III.

The trembling sage confess'd with pain,
Whilst learning's path he trod,
That human knowledge is in vain
Without the fear of God.

IV.

But in the volume of thy word,
We, from our early youth,
Learn of our Saviour and our Lord,
The Way, the Life, the Truth.1

V.

That Book displays the concord sweet
Of Fear and holy Love;
Mercy and Truth together meet,
Descending from above.

VI.

O Lord, thy glory and thy grace
Whilst now our lips proclaim,
Come to our hearts, thy dwelling-place,
And make us fear thy name.

1 John xiv. 6.

2 Psalm lxxxv. 10.

с

HE THAT GATHERETH IN SUMMER IS A WISE SON: BUT HE THAT SLEEPETH IN HARVEST IS A SON THAT CAUSETH SHAME.

HE THAT TILLETH HIS LAND SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH BREAD. THE WAY OF THE SLOTHFUL MAN IS AS AN HEDGE OF THORNS.

I.

HE that tilleth his field, with God's blessing shall

reap,

For prosperity waits on the diligent hand;

But the idler, and he who indulges in sleep,
Shall gather no good from the fruit of his land.

II.

He neglects the commandment to labour and toil;1 While sloth, like a canker-worm, eats up his grain; And the sluggard oft feels that the profit and spoil, Which he takes without trouble he cannot retain.?

1 Gen. iii. 19; 2 Thess. iii. 10.

2 Prov. xii. 27.

How cheerful is Industry! early from bed,

Ev'ry morning how glad that the day has begun : When the shadows of night o'er the mountains are spread,

Then sweet is her sleep,3 for her duty is done.

IV.

Now all have some field that is giv'n them to till;
In childhood and youth we have something to do:
And each of God's creatures may find, if he will,
That in labour and toil there is happiness too.

V.

Nor suppose that his Providence only assign'd
The sweat of the brow to his children of clay:
There's the toil of the brain, and the labour of
mind;

And to some there is watching by night and by day.

VI.

In kindness and mercy there's much to be done;
And by many a neighbourly act we may see,
That though of bright silver and gold they have none,
Yet the poor may do good in their way and
degree.

3 Prov. iii. 24.

And 'tis work to look up to our Father above;
The marvellous scenes of creation to trace;
To study, through faith in the Son of his love,
The wonderful themes of Redemption and Grace.*
4 John vi. 28, 29.

SHE SEEKETH WOOL AND FLAX, AND WORKETH WILLINGLY WITH HER HANDS.

I.

SINCE Adam till'd and dress'd the ground,
Which to his keeping God assign'd,

A life of labour has been found

The fittest portion for mankind.

II.

And 'tis a happier portion too,

Than if on smooth unbroken land,
Sweet fruits and flow'rs spontaneous grew,
Untended by a careful hand.

III.

See how the rich and teeming corn

With plenty crowns the sower's toil,
Where late the briar and the thorn

Way'd useless o'er the idle soil.