Jesus Lover of My Soul - How It Was Written

ONE  day  Mr.  Wesley  was  sitting  by  an  open window,  looking  out  over  the  bright  and  beautiful  fields.  Presently  a  little bird,  flitting  about in  the sunshine,  attrac­ted  his  attention.  Just  then  a  hawk  came sweeping  down  towards  the  little  bird.  The poor thing,  very much frightened, was  darting  here and there,  trying  to  find  some  place  of  refuge.  In  the  bright  sunny  air, in  the  leafy  trees of the green  fields,  there was no  hiding  place  from  the  fierce  grasp of the  hawk.  But  seeing  an  open  window and a  man  sitting  by  it,  the  bird  flew,  in its extremuy,  ujwttrus  it,  and  with  a  beat­ing  heart  and quivering wing,  found refuge in  Mr.  Wesley's  bosom.  He  sheltered  it from  the threatening  danger,  and  saved it from  a cruel  death.

Mr.  Wesley was  at  that  time  suffering from severe trials, and  was feeling the need  of  refuge  in  his  own  time  of  trouble,  as much  as  did  the trembling  little  bird  that nestled so safely in  his  bosom.  

'Jesus, Lover of My Soul's' Inspiration

So  he took up  his  pen  and  wrote that  sweet  hymn :

"Jesus, lover of my soul, 

Let me to thy bosom  fly,

While the waves  of trouble  roll,

While the tempest still is  high." 

That  prayer  grew  into  one  of  the  most beautiful  hymns  in  our  language,  and  multitudes of  people,  when  in  sorrow  and danger,  have  found  comfort  while  they have  said  or  sung  the  last  lines  of  that hymn

Home Garden

EVERY family may have a home garden if they have four square feet of earth. The success attained depends not so much on the size of the home garden as on the way one relates himself to the task. A love for plants and flowers is the prerequisite. Health and happiness may be found in cultivating plant life, and the study of where and under what conditions each variety thrives is indeed fascinating. Happy is the man or woman who loves nature and whose life is enriched by lessons learned from growing plants and flowers. Health of mind and body may be found in seeking the acquaintance of plant life.

Preparation of Soil.—In planning for a garden, the first thing to consider is the preparation of the soil. This may be done with ordinary hand tools. If the soil is covered with a sod or is inclined to be heavy, a spade may be used. However, if it is mellow, a fork is very serviceable Care should be taken not to work the soil when it is sticky. Wait until it has dried sufficiently, so that it will crumble when it drops from the spade. This is - important, for soil that is disturbed when wet is likely to bake and become hard, and this greatly hampers production. After spading, the surface should be allowed to dry; for this will aid you much in preparing the seed bed, a most essential factor.

Don't let the surface become crusty. This hampers capillary attraction in furnishing moisture for the plants. An inch or two of dry earth checks evaporation and avoids loss of moisture, which is important in growing good plants. If you exercise care in keeping loose mulch over the surface, you will eliminate your water problem except in case of drouth. If the plants need added moisture, water them in the evening, but be sure to rake the soil the next morning to conserve the moisture.

Selection of Seeds.—When purchasing seeds, the best obtainable is always cheapest, for poor seed will produce inferior plants. It is advisable to purchase your seed from a reputable seed house. One should be familiar with the requirements of the seed he is sowing.

How to Plant.—The seed should be well covered (depth of planting varies according to size of seed). Many gardeners recommend tamping the soil lightly after planting to aid in surrounding the seed with earth and to conserve the moisture. But be sure the soil will not bake and become hard, or the seeds will not be able to break through the crust which may form. This practice should be followed only in soft, sandy loam.

When to Plant.—The time of planting depends upon the locality, but seed should never be planted until the weather is warm, so that the plants' growth will not be retarded by cold weather. Some seeds, such as sweet peas, garden peas, lettuce, radishes, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, and salsify, will thrive in cool weather and stand a few degrees of frost. Nevertheless, great care should be taken not to hurry in starting the more tender plants out in the open. These should be kept under glass until danger of frost is over.

My Shepherd

THE  Lord's  my  Shepherd;  oh,  the  bliss  of  resting
Within  the  care  of  One,  who  loves  so  well ;
Who  knows  each  pathway,  understands  each  danger,
Whose  tenderness  no  tongue  can  tell.

I  shall  not  want;  for  He,  I know,  will  give  me
From  day  to  day  the  very  help  I  need;
The  strength  for  working  in  life's  busy  places,
Or  grace  for  resting  on  its  daisied  mead.

He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  when  I  am  weary,
For  well  He  knoweth  when  the  way  is  rough,
And  so  He  says  to  me  with  loving  firmness—
" Be  still,  my  child,  for  thou  hast  toiled  enough."

And  then  He  cometh  Himself,  and  watches  o'er  me,
To  aid  my  weakness  by  His  perfect  strength ;
Until  I  almost  love  the  forced  seclusion,
And  learn  to  thank  Him  for  His  rest  at  length.

His  lovingkindness  far  surpasseth  language;
For  when  I  rise  again  to  journey  on,
He  leadeth  me  in  scenes  of  richest  beauty,
And  never  lets  me  walk  one  step  alone.

Eestored I  He  leadeth  up  some  glorious  mountain,
And  if  I  wander  from  His  side,
He  findeth  me;  and  I  just  learn,  that  safety
Belongs  to  those  who  in  His  care  abide.

And  so  we  journey  on;  the  paths  He  chooses
Are  often  not  what  I  should  think  the  best;
But  then,  He  knows  the  way,  and  loves  me  dearly,
So  in  that  knowledge  I  have  perfect  rest.

Yes,  even  when  I  pass  right  through  the  valley
All  dark  with  death's  grim  shadows  crowding  near,
His  rod  and  staff  give  then  the  needed  comfort,
Whilst  He  is  with  me  to  support  and  cheer.

And  when  fierce  foes  arise  to  stay  my  progress
He  nerves  my  arm,  and  cheers  me  for  the  fight,
What  can  I  therefore  do,  but  conquer  grandly,
And  thank  Him  for  the  way  He  kept  me  right.

My  cup  of  mercy  then  is  running  over,
And  I  am  rich,  possessing  such  a  friend  ;
Whose  arm  doth  never  fail;  who  changeth  never;
Who  loving  once,  will  love  until  the  end.

So  thus  the  hours  pass  by,  and  I  am  singing
Of  mercy  and  of  goodness  all  the  way,
For  well  I  know,  my  Saviour  wili  not  leave  me,
But  guide  me  safely  onward,  day  by  day,

Until  I  reach  the  Father's  house  in  glory,
Where  He  stands  waiting  at  the  open  door,
With  arms  outstretched  to  give  me  warmest  welcome
And  bid  me  dwell  with  Him  for  evermore.

CHARLOTTE  MURRAY