In future years, From smiles and tears, Our lives shall luster gather; We'll always say, "Thy will be done, our Father." INNOCENT CHILDHOOD. Sweet little violets, Born in the wild-wood; Purest of loveliness, Innocent childhood; Shy as the antelope, Brown as a berry, Free as the mountain air, Romping and merry. CHORUS.-Tra la, la, la, la, la, &c. Blue eyes and hazel eyes Stares at the stranger. Out in the hilly patch, Seeking the berriesUnder the orchard trees, Feasting on cherriesTrampling the clover blooms Down 'mong the grasses, No voice to hinder them, Dear lads and lasses. Dear little innocents! Born in the wild-wood; Oh, that all little ones Had such a childhood! Heaven's blue over them, Earth's green beneath them, No sweeter heritage Could we bequeath them. I go to see His glory, Whom we have loved below; I go, the blessed angels And holy saints to know; Our lovely ones departed, I go to find again, And wait for you to join us: Good-night, good-night till then. The two hymns following are taken from "The Joy," issued by Messrs. Church & Co., in 1873 : THE FOUR RULERS. "Is it safe? is it safe?" hear the timid cry! "Who will tell me what to do? Is it safe to wait? is it safe to try? Ah me, if I only knew!" Alas, said I, come tell me, pray, What foolish man is this? The laughing echoes seemed to say, "His name is COWARDICE." Will it pay? will it pay?" came a frenzied yell From a surging, scowling crowd; From the men of State and of Church as well In sorrow my head I bowed. Can man, immortal man, thought I, So low and selfish be? Their gilded motto streamed on high, I read it POLICY. "Will it please? will it please?" 'twas a soulless sound, And again I sighed as I looked around Whose worshipers are ye?" Before their queen I saw them bow; "Twas cruel VANITY. CHAPTER XVI. GOSPEL SONGS.-" NEARER TO ME"-" WE TRUST IN THE LORD MUCH OWEST THOU?"-"THE THREE MOUNTAINS"-GOSPEL HOW HYMNS AND SACRED SONGS.-"WHERE ARE THE NINE?"-" WHERE HAST THOU GLEANED TO-DAY?"-" NO OTHER NAME"-GOSPEL HYMNS NO. 2.-" IN ZION'S ROCK ABIDING"-"I'M ON THE LORD'S SIDE"-" HALLELUJAH! WHAT A SAVIOR!" N 1874, Messrs. Church & Co. published "Gospel Songs, a Choice I of Hymus ings, Sunday Schools, etc., by P. P. Bliss." In addition to compositions formerly published, the following were contained in that work : NEARER TO ME. Be near, O God, to me, So shall I truly be Nearer to Thee." Thy face I cannot see, Still be Thou near to me, Nearer, O God, to me, Nearer to me. Fold me beneath Thy wing, O Savior divine: There may I sweetly sing, 66 'Jesus is mine." O'er all life's stormy sea, Still be Thou near to me, Nearer, O God, to me, Nearer to me. Thy hand, in youth's wild way, Did me uphold; Forsake me not, I pray, When I am old; |