Loving Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child. Make me gentle as Thou art, Come and live within my heart. Take my childish hand in Thine, Guide these little feet of mine, And the world shall ever see Christ, the holy child, in me. AMEN. Lord, though Thy home is in the sky, Thou art not far away; Thou lookest down with loving eye When little children pray. We thank Thee for Thy tender care, And for Thy precious love, For all the beauty Thou hast made Of earth and heaven above. AMEN. Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me; Bless Thy little lamb to-night. Through the darkness be Thou near me; Keep me safe till morning light. All this day Thy hand has led me, And I thank Thee for Thy care; Thou hast warmed me, clothed and fed me, Listen to my evening prayer. Let my sins be all forgiven, Bless the friends I love so well; Take us all at last to heaven, Happy there with Thee to dwell. AMEN. {324} My Father in heaven, I thank Thee for my many blessings. I love Thee very much. Help me to love Thee more and to obey Thee better. Forgive all my sins, I pray Thee. Give me good thoughts. Give me understanding. Bless all my friends and keep them and me, both now and forever. AMEN. --_By courtesy of the Clarke School, Northampton, Mass_. A CHILD'S GRACE Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit. AMEN. --_Robert Burns_. GRACE FOR A CHILD Here, a little child, I stand, Heaving up my either hand; Cold as paddocks though they be, Here I lift them up to Thee, For a benison to fall On our meat and on us all. AMEN. --_Robert Herrick_. {325} OLD TIME VERSES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN {326} {327} AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour, And gather honey all the day From every opening flower! How skillfully she builds her cell! How neat she spreads the wax! And labors hard to store it well. With the sweet food she makes. In works of labor or of skill I would be busy, too: For Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do. In books, or work, or healthful play, Let my first years be pass'd; That I may give for every day Some good account at last. --_Isaac Watts_. {328} AGAINST PRIDE IN CLOTHES How proud we are! how fond to show Our clothes, and call them rich and new, When the poor sheep and silkworm wore That very clothing long before.