His “will done on earth, as it is done in heaven,” Is a wish and a hope we are suffer’d to breathe, That such grace and favour to us may be given, Like good angels on high we may live here beneath. “Our daily bread give us,” your young apprehension May well understand, is to pray for our food; Although we ask bread, and no other thing mention, God’s bounty gives all things sufficient and good. You pray that your “trespasses may be forgiven, As you forgive those that are done unto you.” Before this you say to the God that’s in heaven, Consider the words which you speak--are they true? If any one has in the past time offended Us angry creatures, who soon take offence, These words in the prayer are surely intended To soften our minds, and expel wrath from thence. [Illustration] We pray that “temptations may never assail us,” And “deliverance beg from all evil,” we find: But we never can hope that our prayer will avail us, If we strive not to banish ill thoughts from our mind. “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever,” these titles are meant To express God’s dominion and majesty o’er ye; And “Amen” to the sense of the whole gives assent. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration: DAVID IN THE CAVE OF ADULLAM] VIII David and his three captains bold Kept ambush once within a hold. It was in Adullam’s cave Nigh which no water they could have. Nor spring, nor running brook, was near To quench the thirst that parch’d them there. Then David, King of Israel, Straight bethought him of a well Which stood beside the city gate At Bethlem; where, before his state Of kingly dignity, he had Oft drunk his fill, a shepherd lad; But now his fierce Philistine foe Encamp’d before it he does know. Yet ne’ertheless, with heat oppress’d, Those three bold captains he address’d, And wish’d that one to him would bring Some water from his native spring. His valiant captains instantly To execute his will did fly. Those three brave men the ranks broke through Of armed foes, and water drew For David, their beloved king, At his own sweet native spring. Back through their enemies they haste, With the hard-earn’d treasure graced. What with such danger they had sought With joy unto their king they brought. But when the good king David found What they had done, he on the ground The water pour’d, “Because,” said he, “That it was at the jeopardy Of your three lives this thing ye did, That I should drink it God forbid!” [Illustration] [Illustration: CLEANLINESS] IX