October Lessons by H. I. Morse-Farnum

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 27, 1904

October Lessons

By H. I. Morse-Farnum

H. I. MORSE-FARNUM

“Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.”

THE berries of scarlet, leaves of red, Amber, russet, and gold, Tell that the palmiest days are fled, And summer is waxing old.

The beautiful light of waning day, Peering through sunset sash, Heightens and brightens October’s ray, Its maples and mountain ash.

Alas! the day, in perfect array Of beauty, wealth, and grace, Lingers but briefly, passing away, Shadows fall in its place.

Why need we miss the lessons that gleam In sunset’s ruddy glow, In the falling leaf and purling stream Or mighty river’s flow?

Over and over the lesson is told; In roar of cataract heard, Flung out in words of scarlet and gold, And trilled by every bird.

In tenderest tints of vernal time, In summer’s joy and bloom, In variegated autumn’s prime, In winter’s shroud and tomb,

Nature is chanting lessons to you, Talking with voice and scene, Pure and benign as canopy blue. Hear ye the words between?

“Changeful and brief this motley array, Sliding sands in the glass; Nearest and dearest idols to-day, Smiling, greet us, and pass; But anon they are hidden away.”

What sheaves are we gleaning, passing along, Out from living and thought? Out of the toiling, sorrow, and song? Only the good we have wrought.

Unerringly, a diamond pen Records the real worth; Eternity restores again The only wealth of earth.