Part 5 (1/2)

With joy extatic all creation springs To glad new life each his anthem sings To the sun-G.o.d's Creator and upraise Their thrilling melodies of morning praise.

Have ye e'er heard it echoed through the woods By birds and insects, mountain, streams and floods?

Then, say, do man's best efforts match the song Of that harmonious, grateful, fervent throng?

Renewed and glad the denizens of earth Obey the will of Him who calls them forth: Obedience makes all labour doubly sweet, And victory crowns the race with willing feet.

The great sun never wavers from his line Of duty, in his gracious work sublime, His grand example perfect is, as when The Everlasting first created men.

Symbol he is of the Great Father's power, Discoursing of it every pa.s.sing hour, As calling to new life each germ and seed, He teaches earth to bring forth what men need.

Streams, plants and insects, animals and earth Fulfil the role a.s.signed to them at birth; Soft, gentle showers in cooling streams descend O'er verdant nature freshened joy to lend.

Planets and stars obey the law divine, And in the pre-concerted plan combine.

To do this bidding who in ether placed Their glorious...o...b.., and their grand circles traced.

And think ye mortals that a G.o.d so great Could be unmindful of our mortal state?

Ah, no, His grand unchanging laws apply To every living creature equally.

There's not a denizen of earth, sky, sod, But bears some message to us from our G.o.d; The changeless laws of earth and firmament Are with deep truths and glorious lessons blent.

The Great Eternal, ruler of the earth, Formed laws immutable for it at birth; Charging the realm of nature to befriend, The race for whom he formed it, to life's end.

Grand proofs of His great love through it are found, By those who seek them, and rich joys abound For all who learn themselves, and the blest will Of the Creator lovingly fulfil.

LOVE.

Immortal love! what power is thine, To quicken and inspire!

Fabled Prometheus well might dare To steal from heaven such fire.

For 'tis a beacon light to guide To rapturous joy and peace, In this our present earthly home, And where all sorrows cease.

Thy subtle fire electrical, In word, look, touch or kiss, Thrills through our being to invoke Responsive mutual bliss.

Once moved by this Herculean power, What cannot mortals dare?

Dangers else insurmountable, They with impressment share.

Nothing on earth e'er nerved the arm Of knight or warrior bold, Like love of country, home, and heaven, In the brave days of old.

No matter what man's form of words, Uttered or written down, If thy incisive, quickening spell, Does not their labour crown.

And still thou reign'st supremely fair, In homes and battle fields, And his the arm victorious, Who thy grand armour wields.

For they who with untiring zeal, Thy heart-fires ceaseless feed, Know their supernal warmth alone, Can meet man's highest need.

But hearts e'en at the altar pledged Oft seek for love in vain, And hungering souls are doomed to starve, In freezing, cold disdain.

Ah, why should mortals thus refuse To wield that grace divine, The chief of the blest three that heaven Gives to make life sublime.

Some make a grave mistake, and seek Pity beyond their home; No friend or relative on earth Should counsel thus to roam.

Others have cultivated minds, Are leaders in high art, Whilst in the little things of life, They take no kindly part.

And yet if we investigate, It is these little things, Which make up human happiness, And lasting pleasure brings.