Little by Little (Author Unknown)

This is a poem my littlest brother (and consequently, the entire family) learned to recite when he was four. Now, whenever any of us becomes upset over the amount of chores that must be done, Mom encourages us with it! 

One step and then another, and the longest walk is ended;
One stitch and then another, and the largest rent is mended;
One brick upon another and the highest wall is made;
One flake upon another and the deepest snow is laid.

So the little coral workers by their slow but constant motion,
Have built those pretty isles in the distant, dark blue ocean.
And the noblest undertakings man's wisdom hath conceived
By oft repeated efforts have been patiently achieved.

So do not look disheartened o'er the work you have to do,
And say that such a mighty task you never can get through;
But just endeavor day by day another point to gain,
And soon the mountain which you feared will prove to be a plain.

Rome was not builded in a day, the ancient proverb teaches,
And Nature, by her trees and flowers, the same sweet sermon preaches.
Look not on far off duties, but on duties which are near,
And having once begun to work, resolve to persevere!

Moses' Lullaby

Drift away, my bonny child
Sleep and sweetly dream the while
Fear not, for God watcheth o'er thee,
Fear not, for God loveth thee.

Hush now, baby, if thou wakest
Lest the king thy life he takest
Thou wert born to set thy people free
Thou wert born to set Israel free.

Dost thou know a babe there will be
Who will from Herod's soldiers flee?
That child shall set our people free,
That child shall set all men free.

The Real World

When the phantoms of all that is insignificant in life have been banished, what will we see? How much of what we now hold dear or stress as important will remain, and how much will vanish into dust? When our worldly eyes are no longer deceived or distracted by mere appearance, oh! How our opinions of ourselves, of others, of everything, will change. 

A Lesson for Children

Ah, little Betsy! Only nine years old, and yet so quick and eager to help! Grandmother loved to have her, for her bright eyes were never dimmed with thought of self when asked to do a chore. Nothing was too difficult, long, or odious a task for her. Why, even now, there she is singing at the washtub to make the dishes dance. She must be very thoughtful, indeed, to have already learned that common work done cheerfully is much easier to accomplish than that which is gone about with complaint, slowness, and dread.