ARBOR DAY MANUAL, 199 



THE IVY. 



"QUSHIXG the clods of earth aside, 

 1 Leaving the dark where foul things hide, 

 Spreading its leaves to the summer sun, 

 Bondage ended, freedom won; 



So, my soul, like the ivy be, 



Rise, for the sunshine calls for thee ! 



Climbing up as the seasons go, 



Looking down upon things below, 



Twining itself in the branches high, 



As if the frail thing owned the sky; 

 So my soul, like the ivy be, 

 Heaven, not earth, is the place for thee. 



Wrapping itself round the giant oak, 

 Hiding itself from the tempest's stroke; 

 Strong and brave is the fragile thing, 

 For it knows one secret, how to cling. 



So, my soul, there's strength for thee, 



Hear the Mighty One : " Lean on me." 



Green are its leaves when the world is white, 



For the ivy sings through the frosty night ; 



Keeping the hearts of oak awake, 



Till the flowers shall bloom and the spring shall break ; 



So, my soul, through the winter's rain, 



Sing the sunshine back again. 



Opening its green and fluttering breast- 

 Giving the timid birds a nest ; 

 Coming out from the winter wild, 

 To make a wreath for the Holy Child ; 



So, let my life like the ivy be, 



A help to man and a wreath for Thee ! 

 Good Words. HEXRV BURTON. 



" Take whatever God sends, 



As the blossoming pansies do : 

 He clothes them with royal grace ; 



Shall he not take thought for you ? 

 Trust for the trustful heart 



Knoweth the tenderest leading, 

 Knoweth how certainly God 



Our need and our craving is heeding." 



