PREFACE.

"To please one feeling heart, for one calm thoughtful hour, Go, little book,-content if thine the power."

JESSE.

As the Great Teacher was constantly drawing forth lessons of wisdom from the natural objects which surrounded Him, the wayside tree, the fountain at which He drank, the lilies of the field,—and proving by His care for bird and beast His "much more care for His children, it is hoped that a little volume which brings together such teachings, as understood and interpreted by some of our sweetest poets, and arranges them so as to illustrate subjects of interest, may not be unacceptable to those who desire to find

"Tongues in the trees,

Books in the running brooks,

Sermons in stones,-and good in everything."

Inspired as well as uninspired poets have loved to question nature, and see the Creator in His works. "Ask now of the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee." To link thoughts of heaven with things of earth, and behold our Father's hand of love and wisdom in all the beauty which surrounds them, to see HIM in all things fair, and hear HIM in every sweet sound, to feel HIM in every refreshing breeze, to adore HIM in all His works, is the privilege and joy of His children; and while "all His works praise Him," His saints "can, with glad heart and voice," give thanks to Him for redeeming love, as well as for upholding care, and see "in these His lower works" types of still fairer and brighter things which they faintly image forth.

Perhaps too, some may be attracted by "the charm" of sweet song, and led by it to see Him in these His lower works, who have not yet learned to study the Book of Nature for her precious lessons, who have not considered the teaching of the lilies, nor questioned the fowls of the air, nor gone to the little ant to learn wisdom;

who have never interrogated the earth, nor asked the fishes of the sea to declare the wonder-working power of the Almighty, all-merciful Creator,—but who have seen only its exterior, seeking "no charm unborrowed from the eye;" satisfied with that, while missing the deeper lessons which every creature of God is prepared to give to those who "seek for it as silver, and search for it as for hid treasure." For want of this "diligent search" the wonderful and bountiful works of our Father in heaven remain to many only as an external show, looked upon with but half-opened eyes, but never laid to heart; whilst to others they are an inexhaustible storehouse filled with all manner of store, and all pleasant things.

Many a lesson of heavenly wisdom may be learned from "Silent Teachers," by those "whose hearts the Lord has opened,"-lessons of love and trust, which give strength for warfare and service,-when otherwise "the hands might hang down," or the feet be ready to stumble.

The profits of this volume are devoted to two little ORPHAN HOMES, conducted on the family system, in the neighbourhood of Bath, where a humble effort is made. (in dependence on the promises given to those who shall

care for "the fatherless ") to lead to a Home and a Father in heaven, a few destitute Orphans who have neither father nor home on earth.

Any one desiring

to hear particulars of this work, or to aid in carrying it on, can do so, by addressing a line to J. W. Fairstowe, Bath. Friends, interested in the little ones are invited

to "Come and see."

Fairstowe, Bath.

Dec. 1872.

[While this volume was passing through the press, the following letter was received from Mrs. Sewell, whose name has long been a household word in the thousand homes where her gentle words, and deeds of kindness, cause this "Mother in Israel" to be regarded with filial affection, and her approval to be highly valued by the many "who shall rise up and call her blessed."]

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I earnestly "wish you good speed" in the forthcoming little volume of Poems; I have no doubt it will be welcomed by many, but by none so cordially as