SPRING'S WONDERS.

(FRÜHLINGSWUNDER.)

WINTER'S dark hours are over ;

The snow and rain are past:

Life, that was captive held by Death, Breaks from her bonds at last.

All, that so long lay sleeping

In the darksome winter-night,

Stirs mightily—and soon shall stand All glorious in the light.

God sends His Breath, life-giving,

To wave through wood and plain : Voices from Nature's graves awake, And her life-blood flows again.

Her face in beauty gloweth ;

And, with swelling verdure rife,

In the valleys and the mountain-sides Burst thousand germs of life.

Sweet blossoms open, trembling ;
Their casements, here and there,
Strike out their heads inquiringly
Into the soft mild air.

There sounds the bird's loud carol
Joyful amidst the bowers ;-

"Yes, Spring again is with us now : Come forth, come forth, ye Flowers ! "

"Life has from Death arisen !

Resounds on every side :

And the blue heaven laugheth joyously, And Earth smiles like a bride.

O Soul, be full of gladness,

This miracle to see:

God sends His Breath, restoring life,

And Spring comes forth for thee!

SUNDAY MORNING.

(SONNTAGSFRÜHE.)

My heart is bright with joy ; A Day of blessing sheds its ray: There is the clear sound ringing forth,

"Come to God's House to-day!"

To-day, when He shall speak, Open thy heart, and keep thee still: Cease from the labours of thy hands, When God would work His Will.

'Tis Open House to-day:

The hungry souls He portioneth

With Living Bread; that all who eat

May never taste of death.

To-day, The Faithful Sower

Goes forth, the good seed scattering : There, in each spirit where it dwells, Rich harvest it shall bring.

To-day, The Shepherd True
His sheep and lambs together leads
To pastures fresh, where water-springs
Flow through sweet grassy meads.

To-day, The Great Physician,
Who heals our souls from every ill,
Stands rich in help, in word and deed,

Each pain and grief to still.

This is a Day of Blessing;

And joyful voices seem to say

In the Bells' clear tones, "Come forth, O Soul,

To the House of God to-day!"

"HOW LONG WILL YE LOVE VANITY?"

("WIE HABT IHR DAS EITLE SO LIEB?")

ETERNITY draws nearer ;

Time hastens fast away:

Mark'st thou its flight with gladness,
Or would'st thou bid it stay?
Hast thou but tears and sighing
For that which hastens past;
And knows thy heart no yearning
For higher joys, that last?

Receivest thou life's being

From what this world has given;

And hast thou never tasted

The powers of Life from Heaven?

Does Heaven seem strange and distant—

Is Earth thine only home?

How shall it be, O Mortal,

When death's dark hour is come!