Mountain Spring and Other Poems

<h2><SPAN name="NATURES_LESSON" id="NATURES_LESSON" />NATURE'S LESSON</h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span>We traveled by a mountain's edge,<br/></span> <span>It was September calm and bright,<br/></span> <span>Nature had decked its rocky ledge<br/></span> <span>With flowers of varied hue and height.<br/></span> <span>It seemed a miracle that they<br/></span> <span>Should flourish in that meager soil,<br/></span> <span>As noble spirits oftenest may<br/></span> <span>Gleam forth through poverty and toil.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span>Below were rippling, sparkling streams<br/></span> <span>Through meadows kissed by shadowy hills,<br/></span> <span>Reflecting autumn's peaceful dreams<br/></span> <span>Within those swift, translucent rills.<br/></span> <span>This lesson should these scenes impart<br/></span> <span>As on the road of life we go,<br/></span> <span>To do our duty and take heart,<br/></span> <span>As flowers bloom and streamlets flow.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span>Perhaps in ages yet to be<br/></span> <span>May flowers wave here e'en as today,<br/></span> <span>These streams still rush in merry glee<br/></span> <span>To cheer and charm who here may stray;<br/></span> <span>But we upon Time's rapid tide<br/></span> <span>Like morning mists will disappear;<br/></span> <span>But if by faith to Christ allied,<br/></span> <span>Heaven's glory is both sure and clear.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span>We look from Nature to her God;<br/></span> <span>We feel his presence from above;<br/></span> <span>We know that when the earth he trod,<br/></span> <span>He preached through her his wondrous love.<br/></span> <span>What is there in our flitting years<br/></span> <span>With this pure treasure can compare?<br/></span> <span>His love can wipe away our tears,<br/></span> <span>His love can lighten every care.<br/></span></div> </div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />