Vermont Watchman And State Journal

POETRY.

A HARVEST HYMN FOR 1840
BY JAMES MONTGOMERY.

The God of Harvest praise:
In loud thanksgiving, raise
Hand, heart, and voice:
The valleys laugh and sing,
Forests and mountains ring,
The plains their tribute bring,
The streams rejoice.

Of food for man or beast,
Jehovah spreads a feast,
Above, beneath;
Ye herds and flocks draw near,
Fowls, ye are welcome here;
His goodness crowns the year
For all that breathe.

Garden and orchard ground,
Autumnal fruits have crowned;
The vintage glows;
Here plenty pours her horn,
There the full tide of corn,
Sway'd by the breath of morn,
The land o'erflows.

The wind, the rain, the sun,
Their genial work have done;
Would'st thou be fed?
Man, to thy labor bow,
Thrust in the sickle now,
Reap where thou once didst plough—
God sends thee bread.

Thy few seeds scatter'd wide,
He hath so multiplied,
That thou mayest find
Christ's miracles renewed;
With self-producing food,
He feeds a multitude—
He feeds mankind.

The God of Harvest praise;
Hands, heart, and voices raise
With sweet accord;
From field to garner throng,
Bearing your sheaves along,
And in your harvest song,
Bless ye the Lord.

Yea, bless his holy name,
And your soul's thanks proclaim,
Through all the earth;
To glory in your lot
Is comely—but be not
God's benefits forgot
Amidst your mirth.