Beneath Thy trees to-day we met,

Amid Thy summer flowers;

And every heart is blessing yet

These happy, fleeting hours.

But creeping shades to vespers call,

And timely lore impart,

To make our latest shadows fall

From sunshine in the heart.

Yes, even so; the summer leaf,

The summer flowers, declare

Their childlike, chastening belief,

That Thou dost make them fair.

O, let us cherish nature’s creed,

And live and bloom to Thee;

For only childlike hearts, we read,

Can grace eternity.