p. 5 | PAINT THE SKY FIRST

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jun 25, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 26.

PAINT THE SKY FIRST.

An artist of rare skill, And genius manifold, Did not outline his picture till, In tints of blue and gold, Upon the canvas, lifted high, He spread the colors of the sky.

And when the sky was done, He painted all below To match in every hue and tone, Until it seemed as tho The very shadows were in love With colors copied from above.

But when the work begun Was finished, 'twas so fine They did not think of sky or sun, But only how divine The landscape was; how cool and sweet The spot where lights and shadows meet!

Yes, let the sky come first; This is the lesson taught. That lifetime is, alas, the worst Whose skies are latest wrought! For, finished with the greatest care, Something is always lacking there.

God first and earth the last, What better rule than this If thou dost wish the work thou hast To be a masterpiece, Whose smallest touches, lightly given On earth and seas, are toned to heaven?

O, hast thou painted well Thy picture's glorious sky? Hast not? And longest to excel? Then lift to heaven thine eye, And let thy work its colors wear— Paint not the ground till skies are there. —Selected.