God made the golden corn, God made the wheat, For bread and for puddings; Rich plenty to eat. The rice and the barley, The rye and the oats; O let us thank Him In happier notes! God made the fruits to grow Luscious and sweet, For all His dear children To drink and to eat. Never ferment them; For then from the rot Springs forth the poison! Taste of it not! Fresh from the fruit bottles Seal it away; Sink it in waters cold; Hide it in clay. There ’twill keep fresh and sweet, Harmless as new. Harmless as ripened grapes Sparkling with dew. KINDNESS TO ALL A record is kept of all things upon earth. And even the kitty that sleeps on the hearth Has its own rights to our kindness and care, As long as it lives. And no one should dare To think all he owes is a kick and a “Scat!” To poor little pussy because she’s a cat. And if she must die, let it be by the way That gives the least pain, is what Mercy would say. Be kind to all creatures; our heart tells us why. And he who cares not for the sufferer’s cry Shall himself call in vain when the terror is nigh; He who cares not for pain of man, beast or bird Shall yet cry “himself and never be heard.” CHORUS OF THE FLOWERS There came a chorus from the vales and hills; From plains and mountains, and the rippling rills. Where’er a flower was growing, came a song, So sweet it woke to praise a countless throng; And these blest words I caught within my heart To keep until from earthly walks I part. “We flowers, all, have come to earth to tell What every blessed angel knows so well: That God is Love; and seek that love to show Where’er a human foot can ever go. He sent us forth in beauties numberless, For every heart to welcome and caress, And learn a little of that love divine That seeks through leaf and flower and star, to shine.” THE CORNSTALK CHAIR