p. 10 | OUR CHILDREN by T. R. Williamson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 18, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 29.

OUR CHILDREN.

By T. R. Williamson

"That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth." Ps. 144:12. That is, grown to man's reason and strength of mind while they are still young.

How does a plant grow up in its youth? Comely, and straight, and tall, and fair, Swaying in every breeze with grace; It looks e'en the dazzling sun in the face As with conscious nobleness born of truth, And a fine independent, guileless air.

'Tis Bible growth that I write about— Not noxious weeds by miry roads— Young palms that grow toward the stars, Upright and lithe and courageous as Mars, That can firmly stand amid strife and roat, Who can strongly lift at another's loads.

Bright, generous boys, and young, true men, Steady and faithful, honest too, Who are not seen where black sins dwell, Whose hearts are not stained, and whose breaths ne'er smell Of the liquor that's brewed in Satan's den, Or the filth and poison of smoke and chew.

A boy or a man on whose strong arm A mother leans with loving trust; Life soldier in the church of Christ, Ready either for work or sacrifice; Who will side with the weak 'gainst pain and harm If that side be true and the cause be just.

These are the plants that grow tall and strong, Firm rooted, sprung from Gospel seed; And when the hosts of Zion come With song and with trump to their sunlit home, Their hands shall wave in the breezes of song, And eternity's favors shall be their meed.

O glorious planting of God's own hand, Comely and pleasant, true and fair! Grow up to stand like monarch trees, Like hearts of oak that in tempest or breeze Reach sheltering arms o'er the needy land, And crowns of usefulness royally wear.

T. R. WILLIAMSON.