His listener reads the human heart And all its thoughts unerringly; Alone such wisdom can impart And judge of its sincerity. Jesus received this sin-sick soul, Salvation to his house was given; And while time's cycles onward roll, His faith and works will point toward heaven. "I came," the Lord of glory said (Nor did he count the pain and cost), "To feed the hungry soul with bread, To seek and save that which was lost." APRIL When April weeps, she wakes the flowers That slept the winter through. Oh, did they dream those frosty hours That she would be untrue And not awaken them in time To smile their smiles of love, To hear the robin's merry chime, And gentle cooing dove? And when they feel their mother's tears So gently o'er them weep, Will they tell her of their simple fears And visions while asleep? And will they tell her that they dreamed, Beneath their sheets of snow, Such weary dreamings that it seemed The winter ne'er would go? They'll soon be wide-awake and up, In dainty robes arrayed, Blue violet, gold buttercup, And quaker-lady staid. Wild eglantine and clustering thorn Will grace the byway lanes, Whilst woodland flowers the dells adorn And daisies cheer the plains. The rippling streamlet soon will be A crystal mirror bright For waving branch and mint and tree That nod in golden light Of summer sunbeams glad'ning rays Filling the heart with love, While nature and earth, uniting, praise The God who reigns above. In lowly spots will lilies spring And scent the summer breeze, And on the earth there'll be no king Arrayed like one of these. So weeping April's tears will bring Her children from the tomb, Will dress the earth in robes of spring, Brightened by fragrant bloom. BETHLEHEM _Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea._--Matthew 2:1. Bethlehem, where Christ was born, Bethlehem, the Christian's star! Bethlehem's prophetic morn Echoed ages from afar. Where the shepherds heard the song Heralding the holy birth, Tidings that would right the wrong, News of joy from heaven to earth. This the song the angels sang: "Peace on earth, good will to men." Glory in the highest rang, Glory now and glory then. Christ, the king of earth and heaven, Gave himself to cleanse our sin; Through his blood we are forgiven And eternal life may win. Come to him with every woe; He has said, "Come unto me." Better refuge none can know Whither to safely, gladly flee. Well may hallelujahs ring O'er God's gift from heaven above; Yet, although the angels sing, Angels cannot tell his love. NATURE'S LESSON