90 
ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 
Written 
“ Arbor 
Day 
Manual. 
RESURGAM. 
HEN the Great Architect conceived the plan 
vv To build a,habitation fit for man, 
Earth was not counted perfect fropn His hand, 
Till streams and forests gladdened all the land. 
Great forests, like huge temples builded high, 
With frondent columns reaching toward the sky, 
Firm.founded in the rich and nurturing ground, 
Their roofs with nature’s glorious verdure crowned. 
Almighty Builder ! with what wise design 
Didst rear the mighty oak, the giant pine ! 
How did Thy grand beneficence unfold 
In beech and maple with their wealth untold !, 
Rivers and forests with their scenery grand, 
Made glad the earth fresh from the Maker’s hand ; 
The orb of day looked down on man’s abode, 
And with the stars sang praise to nature’s God. 
So time passed on, till earth was peopled o’er; 
Human abodes were built on every shore; 
While in the forests depths, in the soft shade, 
Four-footed beauties with their offspring played. 
High in their branches feathered warblers sang, 
Till the dark woods with glad hosannas rang; 
And all was life and beauty. But God’s plan 
Too soon was marred by greedy, wanton man. 
Stroke upon stroke the cruel axeman plied, 
Nor rested he till nature’s choicest pride, 
“ The grand old woods,” were ruthlessly laid low,. 
Entailing dark disaster and dire woe ! 
But now, thank God ! a noble band of men 
Come to the front. The woods shall rise again ! 
An army of tree planters, bearing trees, 
Fling out their glorious banner to the breeze ! 
Come, old and young and join the noble throng 
Who celebrate this day with speech and song; 
And millions yet unborn shall own your sway, 
And rise to bless our glorious Arbor Day ! 
Alton, N. Y. 
Seymour S. Short. 
