The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-08-19

"Pralse, o praise the great Creator"
Yea, let everything rejoice
Surely, on that hallowed Sabbath,
Naught should glory more than man
Masterpiece which God hath fashioned
By the might OF his own hand
Yet, within the little hamlet
Whence we've drawn this June tide
scene,
There was slowly homeward vending
One of sad, detected mien.
Toiling in the Masters vineyard,
Scattering seed for many years,
He'd grown weary with this sowing,
Mingling seed with brlny tears.
True, large crowds of eager children
Trooped within the old church door,
When from belfry came the summons
Calling both to rich and poor.
Yet he felt his school failure
For when harvest time should be,
Year by year, he prayed and waited,
Still few sheaves for Christ could see.
Yearning peered he through the
branches
Luscious golden fruit to find;
Little fruit seemed e'er forthcoming
Nothing save the barren vine.
Reaching home the weary laborer
Sought his chamber, there to rest;
And soon Natures sweet restorer u
Lulled him-soothed his aching breast.
Lo! he dreamed-a lovely vision
Burst upon his raptured sight!
Gllmpsed be through the pearly portals
The fair city of delight.
Saw he radiant throngs of angels
Pressing forward one by one.
Till they stood, band OF seraphs,
Round about the great white throne.
One who bore ponderous volume
Meekiy bent his star-crowned head,
Turned the leaves with plying finger
Then in mellow tones he read,
He the stern recording angel,
Shed a sympathetic tear,
As he read along the margin
How man wrought with trembling
fear.
"Work in Sabbath schools" he stated,
''Seems now sadly on the wane;
For while some are tolllng nobly,
Still, their labor seemeth vain.
In the school room where the teachers
Strive to lead the young and fair,
There the fount of knowledge sparkleth,
Still there's dearth of wholesome air.
They have food, sweet and nutritious,
But they lack sunshiny cheer,
And young plants can never flourish
In gloomy atmosphere.
From the solemn superintendent
= Pupils breathe too much of care,
Fill them, God, with all thy fullness,
at f1,x, ov,r,sl,ivo x,o rv,, <1a ~
Teachers go forth, light and flippant,
Idly scattering precious seed.
Show them, 0 dear loving Father,
How much more of grace they need"
Through this dream the anxious toiler
Was joyous lesson taught.
May it come to you to day, friends,
With balmy message fraught.
Superintendent, teacher, friend,
Thou, thyself must strive to be-;
Not teach simply, but love nobly,
Christ in you let pupils see.
Open wide the crystal windows
OF an eager thlrsting mind
Search the Scriptures will lead
thee
Hidden treasures there to find.
There's shining, costly jewel
- TALL not this gem 10 see.
'Tis the rarest of all virtues,
1t is true humility.
Wouldst thou clasp sparkling neck.
lace
Round the dainty throat of youth
Belt thine own life with girdle
Radiant with the gems of truth.
WOuldst thou awaken in young hearts
Strains of melody divine?
Let the thrilling touch of God sweep
Every trembling chord in thine.
Let hope light up every feature
In thine own face day by day,
: Then will CLEANS of love and beauty
Always DER young faces play.
Drink deep from the crimson fountain
Till thy soul doth overflow;
Then thy life IN touching others
Will to them impart its glow.
To retain an abundant head of hair
of natural color to good old age,
the hygiene of the Of the scalp must
be observed. Apply Halls Hair Re
newer.