May it prove as such to thee;
Nay, keep thy gold; I ask it not,
For the Word of God is free.'

"The hoary traveller went his way,
But the gift he left behind
Hath had its pure and perfect work
On that high-born maiden's mind;
And she hath turned from the pride of sin
To the lowliness of truth,
And given her human heart to God
In its beautiful hour of youth."

J. G. WHITTIER




"IN THE BEGINNING": CREATION


"_Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and
the heavens are the works of Thine hands: they shall perish; but Thou
remainest._"--HEBREWS i. 10.


To-day let us talk a little about the very first words which God has
spoken to us in His Book. You would like to find them in your own Bible, I
daresay.