Oh, what can little hands do To please the King of heaven? The little hands some work may try To help the poor in misery: Such grace to mine be given. Oh, what can little lips do, To please the King of heaven? The little lips can praise and pray, And gentle words of kindness say: Such grace to mine be given. Oh, what can little eyes do, To please the King of heaven? The little eyes can upward look, And learn to read God's holy Book: Such grace to mine be given. Oh, what can little hearts do, To please the King of heaven? Our hearts, if God His Spirit send, Can love and trust their Saviour-Friend: Such grace to mine be given. When hearts, and hands, and lips unite To please the King of heaven, And serve the Saviour with delight, They are most precious in His sight: Such grace to mine be given. --_Fabin_. {241} HOW GENTLE GOD'S COMMANDS How gentle God's commands, How kind His precepts are! Come cast your burdens on the Lord, And trust His constant care. While Providence supports, Let saints securely dwell; That hand which bears all nature up Shall guide His children well. Why should this anxious load Press down your weary mind? Haste to your heavenly Father's throne, And sweet refreshment find. His goodness stands approved, Down to the present day; I'll drop my burden at His feet, And bear a song away. --_Philip Doddridge_. {242} ABOVE THE CLEAR BLUE SKY Above the clear blue sky, In heaven's bright abode, The angel host on high Sing praises to their God: Alleluia! They love to sing To God their King Alleluia! But God from children's tongues On earth receiveth praise; We then our cheerful songs In sweet accord will raise: Alleluia! We, too, will sing To God our King Alleluia! O blessed Lord, Thy truth To all Thy flock impart, And teach us in our youth To know Thee as Thou art. Alleluia! Then shall we sing To God our King Alleluia! --_John Chandler_. {243} BEDTIME STORIES {244} {245} THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS Once there were two little children who lived in a large, red brick house, on a quiet street in the city. The names of these little children were Margaret and Harold. Margaret was five years old, and Harold was eight. Margaret and Harold used to have the best of times together. They played with their dog Sport and their cat Spot. They built houses of blocks. They colored pictures with their crayons. In winter, Harold drew Margaret on his sled, and in summer they played in the garden. But, better than all else, they loved to hear their mamma tell stories. Every night, before they went to bed, she told them a story.