182 SOUTH KENNEBEC SOCIETY, 



But soon collecting strength, it pours amain, 



And like a deluge covers all the plain. 



The thunder mingling with the wind's wild roar^ 



Chorus sublime ! in deaf'ning peals rolls o'er 



Our heads. Dost thou not fear ? and feel 



His awful Toice in the deep rattling peal ? 



His voice who once on Sinai's mountain spoke 



In thunder, lightning, and a thick, dark smoke ? 



For who the lightning's vivid blaze can stand, 



And feel the thunder shake the affrighted land ; 



And not acknowledge in his inmost soul 



That weakness — impotence — all his powers control? 



But see, the .shower has passed, the sun his rays 



Again pours forth, and all around us blaze 



The myriad gems. How beautiful the sight ! 



The leaves, the grass are sparkling in the light ;, 



And the sweet songsters sing his praise again, 



"Who gives for all the sunshine and the rain. 



But summer now her brilliant course has run. 



And bounteous autumn, with a milder sun, 



Begins her reign ; she in our garners pours. 



Of fruits and grain her full, exhaustless stores. 



The farmer now his pay in full receives ; 



The golden corn, the full, abundant sheaves, 



The luscious fruits, the vegetable store. 



Which from earth's bosom he can freely draw. 



All these, and more, our hei^venly Parent gives, 



And man, the creature, by his bounty lives. 



But autumn now is passing fast away, 



And her green vestures hasten to decay. 



But see what beauty marks her closing hour ! 



How brilliant ! — how superb ! — her ev'ry leaf a flower. 



Purple and scarlet, yellow and dark brown. 



Her forest leaves are painted, — 'tis a crown 



Which death has given to claim her as his own. 



His icy hand is on her ! — autumn now has flown. 



Now from all hearts let glad Ilosannas rise. 



To Him that framed the world and built the skies. 



He who in mercy in his word has given 



A lamp to guide our wand'ring feet to heaven. 



He who in winter, when the tempest roars. 



Has given us warm cots and blessed our stores ; 



And when the sp.ing bedecks the verdant plain, 



And the sweet warblers charm our cars again ; 



And when the summer, with its fruits and flowers,. 



Its parching heat, and cool, refreshing showers 



Has glided by, then sober autumn brings 



Her fruits and grain, and all her choicest things, 



And pours them at our feet. And shall not we, 



For all these mercies ever thankful be ? 



Yes, let us strive, and by obedience prove 



That we are thankful— thankful for His love. 



