תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub

Perhaps many an angel who had sung "hallelujah" to God, looked down on the bright and fair scene ;-but, when he brought the report to his friends, he would say, "There are beautiful rivers and hills; the beasts of the fields, and the fowls of the air are beautiful things;-but, the spirit amongst them-the spirit that makes them move and eat,that spirit is silent, and dead. There is no one there to sing praises!"

But, when the joyfulness of that day ran very high in heavenfor the great work was nearly finished-I dare say it was found out that a new kind of spirit was to be placed in the world-one who could know God.

Yes, a new creature! What was he to be like? Perhaps some angels had heard! He is to be a "little lower than the angels,"-yet much higher than the animals down there, for he is to be "in God's image, after his likeness."

And, when the Lord God had formed him, and breathed into him the breath of life, perhaps His only Son-He "without whom was not anything made that was made"-placed him in the Garden of Eden, while the angels looked down and watched-they had come out to see "a living soul!"

Let us try and imagine what they saw.

When this "new creature" was placed in the garden, and the breath of life awoke him, I wonder what he would do?

W. He would open his eyes.

P. And what else?

Ion. He would stare very much, and begin to take notice.
L. And how he would wonder at the clouds!

W. Or, most, at the great sun that warmed him-he would stare at that! Ion. Or the river-if he happened to be near the river, and just saw the bright water, I should think that he would put his hand in it; then he would think-"What wonderful stuff!-how it runs between my fingers!-how thin!-how it splashes!—and it makes drops!-it is clear, bright, cold, transparent, liquid," just as we learn in our Object lessons. W. But I don't think that he would notice so much as that.

L. I think that he would, Willie, for you forget something. We do not wonder at such things, because we were born little babies, and we became accustomed to them before we grew up; but, you forget, this was quite a different case-it was a singular thing-for, I suppose that Adam was born a grown-up man.'

66

[ocr errors]

W. And able to think like a man.

P. It was, indeed, a "singular case"-he never knew "childish things"-I dare say that the mind of this first man, who had never sinned, began to think beautiful thoughts.

How he must have wondered at the trees, too, when he saw the thousand leaves and the branches all moving!

Ion. And when he could not see what shook them, but only heard the wind sighing;-he would begin to look for it!

P. Ah! and when he looked at each leaf, and saw that they were all of the same shape-all of the same colour-that they all grew on "leaf-stalks," having a rib and veins, he would think to himself "How much they are alike!-Who can have been here to make these?—

There must have been some one to do it." The leaves of that tree made a book from which he could read about God.

W. That is more than the beasts could do. They eat the grass, and never think where it comes from.

P. True; but listen again. The silent man would wander on through the garden, and through its rich groves, where, perhaps, he might meet some animal!

W. Yes, a deer, perhaps.

P. Or a bird might fly before him.

Ion. That would surprise him to see it fly!

P. And as he sauntered on, making new thoughts about new things, he might meet a lion, the old "king of the beasts."

L. Ah, if the lion saw Adam, he would feel jealous, and roar.
W. And he would wonder-"Who are you?"

P. But the silent, thinking Adam would think most; he would listen to his roaring—he would look at his noble frame, and his glaring eyes, and would think again-"Who made you?" He would wander along, gazing at more strange sights, and listening to new sounds, whilst every beautiful thing spoke to him, and said-"There has been some one here, who made us." At length, perhaps, he would reach some higher place, where he might look down upon the GARDEN OF EDEN!

Ah! then his senses would begin to work again, and to bring wonderful things to his knowledge. As he stood there, and looked, his eyes brought to him the view of God's great mountains-high chalk hills, and mountains of rugged slate, whose tops reached the clouds. On the mountains grew 66 cedar, pine, and fir, and branching palms,--rising shade above shade." Beneath, was the placid river, which, "rolling on sands of gold, and visiting each plant, fed flowers worthy of Paradise."

There were groves "whose rich trees wept odorous gums"-other trees whose fruit hung, "burnished with golden rind." Betwixt these, -"lawns, or level downs and flocks grazing the tender herb;" and over all, the sun, which had risen high, was shedding a flood of golden light.

Then, as he stood and saw these things, more stirring thoughts moved in his mind. He not only saw, but heard new things. From the mountains came music of rills and streams;-from the groves the songs of the birds;-from the plains the bleat of the sheep. He felt the pure fresh morning air,-while the flowers and fruits sent up to him fragrant scents. All these things which his senses found out, spoke to him of a kind and loving God.

Still, as he stood watching, his eyes brought more beautiful sights, and his ears more beautiful sounds, which seemed to say to him-"God is love;" so, whilst he thought that God had made this beautiful place for man, his mind seemed to be growing with thoughts of His goodness; busy thoughts which, as they crowded in, moved his mind again and again, and still moved it on, as though they could not stop. And then, as if they had not room, they would seem to make strange noises in his throat, and to move his tongue, until at last it made full sounds of speech. Then would his thoughts at once burst forth in loud and joyful songs of praise.

L. Ah, they wanted to get out!

W. His mind was too full, I suppose; but how he must have started, when he heard the sound of his voice!

P. No doubt, though it would soon cease to be strange; then, perhaps, would he sing to God this morning song :

"These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,
Almighty, thine this universal frame,

Thus wondrous fair; thyself how wondrous then!

Thy goodness beyond thought.

these declare

Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow,
Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.
Join voices, all ye living souls: ye birds,
That singing up to heaven gate ascend,

Bear on your wings, and in your notes, his praise.
Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk the earth,
And stately tread or lowly creep;

Witness if I be silent morn or even,

To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade,

Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise."

L. Do you think, papa, that Adam really did sing such a song? P. The Bible does not say so; but I should think that he would be sure to sing one like it. You may find this song written in a good book called "Paradise Lost."

Ion. And I suppose, papa, that the angels in heaven were watching Adam all this time.

P. I dare say they were, and, when they saw that the beasts of the field were silent, and that Adam praised God of his own accord, they knew that he was made for a higher purpose. Perhaps all of them took up his song and again sang "hallelujah;"-they would sing gladly because the great work was now finished, and the first man had begun to give thanks to God.

P. What do you think, dear children, we may learn from this history of Adam?

W. We may learn how many good things God has made for us.
L. And we may learn to be like Adam.

P. You may ask God to make you like him, and to give you a thankful heart. We are very different creatures from Adam, for we are not worthy to take God's holy name upon our lips-and yet, he lets us sing His praises.

Ion. Would the angels be glad if I were to sing, papa?

P. Yes.

Ion. But not God, I suppose?

P. Yes, even the Almighty God will attend to you when you want to thank him- for "the Book" says, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." So, ask God to make you like Adam! Do not pass one day in silence like the beasts of the field. No! whenever you eat and drink, or notice the good things around you, remember that our kind Father has also given you a tongue and speech, that you may sing his praise.

THE HA' BIBLE.

CHIEF of the Household Gods Which hallow Scotland's lowly cottage homes!

While looking on thy signs

That speak, though dumb, deep thought upon me comes

With glad yet solemn dreams my heart is stirr'd,

Like childhood's when it hears the carol of a bird!

The mountains old and hoar-

The chainless winds-the streams so pure and free

The God-enamel'd flowers

The waving forest-the eternal seaThe eagle floating o'er the mountain's

brow

Are teachers all; but, oh! they are not such as thou!

Oh! I could worship thee!

Thou art a gift a God of love might give;

For love, and hope, and joy

In thy Almighty-written pages live!The slave who reads shall never crouch again;

For, mind-inspired by thee, he bursts his feeble chain!

Thou doubly precious Book!

Unto thy light what doth not Scotland owe?

Thou teachest age to die,

And youth in truth unsullied up to

grow!

In lowly homes a comforter art thou→→ A sunbeam sent from God-an everlasting bow!

O'er thy broad ample page

How many dim and aged eyes have pored?

How many hearts o'er thee

In silence deep and holy have adored? How many mothers, by their infants' bed,

Thy holy, blessed, pure, child-loving words have read!

And o'er thee soft young hands

Have oft in truthful plighted love been join'd,

And thou to wedded hearts

Hast been a bond-an altar of the mind!

Above all kingly power or kingly law May Scotland reverence aye-the Bible of the Ha'!

NICOLL.

THE DAYS OF CREATION.
ALL dead and silent was the earth,
In deepest night it lay,
The Eternal spoke Creation's word,
And called to being, Day.

CHOR. It streamed from on high,
All reddening and bright,
And angels' songs welcom'd
The new-born light.

God spake the murmuring waters fled,
They left their deep repose,

Wide over-arching heaven's blue vault
The firmament arose.

CHOR. Now sparkles above
Heaven's glorious blue,

It sends to the earth
The light and the dew.

God spake the hills and plains put on
Their robe of freshest green;

Dark forests in the valleys wave,
And budding trees are seen.

CHOR. The word of his breath
Clothes the forest with leaves,
The high gift of beauty
The spring-tide receives.

God spake and on the new-dress'd earth
Soit smiled the glowing Sun,

Then full of joy he sprung aloft,
His heavenly course to run.

CHOR. Loud shouted the stars
As they shone in the sky,
The Moon with mild aspect
Ascended on high.

God spake: the waters teem with life,
The tenants of the floods;

The many-colour'd winged birds
Dart quickly thro' the woods.
CHOR. High rushes the eagle
On fiery wings,

Low hid in the valley
The nightingale sings.

God spake: the lion, steer, and horse
Spring from the moisten'd clay,

While round the breast of mother earth
Bees hum, and lambkins play.

CHOR. They give life to the mountain,
They swarm on the plain,

But their eyes fix'd on earth

Must for ever remain.

God spake he look'd on earth and heaven
With mild and gracious eye:

In his own image man he made,
And gave him dignity.

CHOR. He springs from the dust,
The Lord of the earth,

The chorus of heaven
Exult at his birth.

And now Creation's work was ended,
Man raised his head, he spoke:
The day of rest by God ordained,
The Sabbath morning broke.

KRUMMACHER.

EVE.*

"And the Lord said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man."-Gen. ii. 18-22.

W. Well, I should think that Adam would feel very dull-all alone, poor fellow.

L. So should I. He would soon get tired of smelling the flowers, or even of looking at them, unless he understood botany, and could arrange them into classes ;-but I suppose, papa, that he did not know botany?

P. I really cannot tell. I often think that perhaps Adam was more learned than any man that has ever lived. Men in these days try to understand God's great works ;—they examine the different animals to know how they are formed, and why they are different. They try too, to learn how God keeps order in the earth, and air, and sea, and in the deep caverns-how He makes the wind and the sea obey Him-and they call this learning, science.

Ion. Yes, we learn sciences in our school; we also read books about science.

P. But I think it is very likely that Adam knew more about science, than has ever been written in books. There are many strange secrets in nature, and perhaps God had opened Adam's eyes that he might see and know them-so that he would not see as man sees now.

L. Then how beautifully he would understand botany. He would keep that garden in fine order.

Ion. And do you think that he understood astronomy, papa?

P. I dare say that he did.

W. And physical geography?

Ion. I dare say he did.

L. But not geology; that is a new science.

P. Indeed, dear Lucy, it is new to us; but I dare say that Adam understood it for "there is no new thing under the sun.'

Ion. Ah, but there are new things above the sun. I should not wonder, now I think about it, that when we get to heaven, we shall all be made as wise as Adam.

W. Perhaps wiser, because you know, we shall be there for ever.

* Lesson. The advantage of good company-Reasons for choosing good companyReasons for being "good company."

« הקודםהמשך »