HYMN OF THE CHILDREN.

By John Greenleaf Whittier

Thine are all the gifts, O God!

Thine the broken bread;

Let the naked feet be shod,

And the starving fed.

Let Thy children, by Thy grace,

Give as they abound,

Till the poor have breathing-space,

And the lost are found.

Wiser than the miser's hoards

Is the giver's choice;

Sweeter than the song of birds

Is the thankful voice.

Welcome smiles on faces sad

As the flowers of spring;

Let the tender hearts be glad

With the joy they bring.

Happier for their pity's sake

Make their sports and plays,

And from lips of childhood take

Thy perfected praise!