 | Wood-notes and Church-bells |  |
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THE GLEANER AND CHILD.
Up and down the Gleaner strays
Through the corn-field, meekly stooping,
While beneath her arm she lays
Ear by ear in fulness drooping.
Through the corn-field, meekly stooping,
While beneath her arm she lays
Ear by ear in fulness drooping.
Single stalks soon make a sheaf
With her busy feet and fingers;
Respite from her work is brief,
Only for a kiss she lingers.
With her busy feet and fingers;
Respite from her work is brief,
Only for a kiss she lingers.
Thus she toils through mid-day heat
Far into the evening breezy,
Gathering ears of golden wheat—
Love makes labour light and easy.
Far into the evening breezy,
Gathering ears of golden wheat—
Love makes labour light and easy.
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Home she wends at twilight grey,
Joyful burden with her bringing,
While with thanks she cheers the way,
Praises to her Saviour singing.
Joyful burden with her bringing,
While with thanks she cheers the way,
Praises to her Saviour singing.
We are Gleaners in life's field:
One short day sums up life's story;
Humble toil blest sheaves will yield;
Efforts small win golden glory.
One short day sums up life's story;
Humble toil blest sheaves will yield;
Efforts small win golden glory.
Have we found the “Corn of wheat”
From the hills where once Ruth wander'd,
And where angel voices sweet
Sang the song which Mary ponder'd?
From the hills where once Ruth wander'd,
And where angel voices sweet
Sang the song which Mary ponder'd?
Souls for Jesus—“line on line”
Seek we, “small things not despising?”
Selfish ease do we resign,
Works of usefulness devising?
Seek we, “small things not despising?”
Selfish ease do we resign,
Works of usefulness devising?
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Then our patient noon-day toil
Christ's own smile of love will lighten;
And at eve, glad harvest spoil
Our way home to God will brighten.
Christ's own smile of love will lighten;
And at eve, glad harvest spoil
Our way home to God will brighten.
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