Devotional Poetry for the Children

My child, begin in little things
To act the gentle part;
For God may turn His love away
From the cruel, selfish heart.

I WILL BE GOOD TO-DAY

“I will be good, dear mother,”
I heard a sweet child say,
“I will be good, – now watch me!
I will be good all day.”

She lifted up her bright young eyes,
With a soft and pleasing smile;
Then a mother’s kiss was on her lips;
So pure and free from guile.

And when night came, that little one,
In kneeling down to pray,
Said, in a soft and whispering tone,
“Have I been good to-day?”

Oh, many, many bitter tears
’Twould save us, did we say,
Like that dear child, with earnest heart,
“I will be good to-day.”

I’LL DO WHAT I CAN

I may, if I have but a mind,
Do good in many ways;
Plenty to do, the young may find,
In these our busy days.
Sad would it be, though young and small,
If I were of no use at all.

One gentle word that I may speak,
Or one kind loving deed,
May, though a trifle, poor and weak,
Prove like a tiny seed;
And who can tell what good may spring
From such a very little thing?

Then let me try, each day and hour,
To act upon this plan;
What little good is in my power,
To do it while I can:
If to be useful thus I try,
I may do better by and by.

TIME TO ARISE

Come, little sister, ’tis time to arise,
The sun has arisen to brighten the skies;
Every bird is singing high, —
Birds are glad, and so am I.

Merrily, merrily, those in the tree,
Bluebird and Robin, are singing to me;
Round the window see them fly, —
Birds are glad, and so am I.

Glad little robin, you never can know
Who is the Maker who fashioned you so;
Yet you cannot weep nor sigh, —
Birds are glad, and so am I.

He who created the birds of the air,
Surely will keep me from trouble and care;
He has taught the birds to fly, —
Birds are glad, and so am I.

DIVINE GUIDANCE

O Thou, who hast at Thy command,
The hearts of all men in Thy hand!
Our wayward, erring hearts incline
To know no other will but Thine.

Our wishes, our desires control;
Mould every purpose of the soul;
O’er all may we victorious be,
That stands between ourselves and Thee.

Thrice blest will all our blessings be,
When we can look through them to Thee;
When each glad heart its tribute pays
Of love, and gratitude, and praise.

INDUSTRY

Up, be doing, little children:
Up, be doing, while ’tis day;
Do the work the Master gives you,
Do not loiter by the way:
For we all have work before us,
Thou, my child, as well as I;
Let us seek to learn our duty,
And perform it cheerfully.