“I came,” the Lord of glory said
      (Nor did he count the pain and cost),
    “To feed the hungry soul with bread,
      To seek and save that which was lost.”

APRIL

    When April weeps, she wakes the flowers
    That slept the winter through. 
    Oh, did they dream those frosty hours
    That she would be untrue
    And not awaken them in time
    To smile their smiles of love,
    To hear the robin’s merry chime,
    And gentle cooing dove?

    And when they feel their mother’s tears
    So gently o’er them weep,
    Will they tell her of their simple fears
    And visions while asleep? 
    And will they tell her that they dreamed,
    Beneath their sheets of snow,
    Such weary dreamings that it seemed
    The winter ne’er would go?

    They’ll soon be wide-awake and up,
    In dainty robes arrayed,
    Blue violet, gold buttercup,
    And quaker-lady staid. 
    Wild eglantine and clustering thorn
    Will grace the byway lanes,
    Whilst woodland flowers the dells adorn
    And daisies cheer the plains.

    The rippling streamlet soon will be
    A crystal mirror bright
    For waving branch and mint and tree
    That nod in golden light
    Of summer sunbeams glad’ning rays
    Filling the heart with love,
    While nature and earth, uniting, praise
    The God who reigns above.

    In lowly spots will lilies spring
    And scent the summer breeze,
    And on the earth there’ll be no king
    Arrayed like one of these. 
    So weeping April’s tears will bring
    Her children from the tomb,
    Will dress the earth in robes of spring,
    Brightened by fragrant bloom.

BETHLEHEM

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.—­Matthew 2:1.

    Bethlehem, where Christ was born,
    Bethlehem, the Christian’s star! 
    Bethlehem’s prophetic morn
    Echoed ages from afar. 
    Where the shepherds heard the song
    Heralding the holy birth,
    Tidings that would right the wrong,
    News of joy from heaven to earth.

    This the song the angels sang: 
    “Peace on earth, good will to men.” 
    Glory in the highest rang,
    Glory now and glory then. 
    Christ, the king of earth and heaven,
    Gave himself to cleanse our sin;
    Through his blood we are forgiven
    And eternal life may win.

    Come to him with every woe;
    He has said, “Come unto me.” 
    Better refuge none can know
    Whither to safely, gladly flee. 
    Well may hallelujahs ring
    O’er God’s gift from heaven above;
    Yet, although the angels sing,
    Angels cannot tell his love.

NATURE’S LESSON