Let them, O Lord, as plants of righteousness, Here in Earth's Garden stand; Yet training only for the fuller life In the sweet Fatherland. In Thine own Vineyard may their tender growth Thy fostering care employ : Cherish and guard the good and precious shoots The evil ones destroy ! O fill them with Thy Grace, and may Thy Love Their souls' best powers engage : Lord, call them early, lovingly to Thee, And guard their heritage! In life and death, O Father, make them Thine; Ordered in all by Thee : As heirs of Life, conduct them at the last Into Eternity! THE BEAUTY OF NATURE (DIE SCHÖNHEIT DER NATUR.) REJOICE in Earth's fair beauty; The glorious splendour that our God And yet, 'tis but the Footstool, Rich garnished, for His Feet: His creature fraught with wonder-works, In loveliness complete. In Sun and Moon rejoice thou, And in each radiant star;' As, o'er our valley wandering, Yet are they but creations, By The Hand Almighty sown Along the wide-spread drapery That falls about the Throne. If in His Throne and Footstoo What at His Heart may we conceive SPRING'S WONDERS. (FRÜHLINGSWUNDER.) WINTER'S dark hours are over; In the darksome winter-night, Stirs mightily-and soon shall stand God sends His Breath, life-giving, Her face in beauty gloweth ; And, with swelling verdure rife, In the valleys and the mountain-sides Burst thousand germs of life. 1 Sweet blossoms open, trembling Their casements, here and there; Strike out their heads inquiringly Into the soft mild air. There sounds the bird's loud carol 66 Joyful amidst the bowers ; Yes, Spring again is with us now: Come forth, come forth, ye Flowers!" "Life has from Death arisen!" Resounds on every side: And the blue heaven laugheth joyously, And Earth smiles like a bride. O Soul, be full of gladness, This miracle to see: God sends His Breath, restoring life, And Spring comes forth for thee! |