This is from Luke's reader and shows why I love reading to my kids. Since I am not an eloquent nor imaginative thinker or writer, I need to read quality work from those who are. There is so much beauty in our world, and I am not versed in capturing it's splendor. But, there are many authors who can, and I am blessed by their words. I hope my children can grow up to appreciate the beauty of words and can express themselves with them.
This is from the Eclectic Readers (first published in 1836) that we use. They are just beautiful and have sold millions of copies through the years. I love being able to use them to teach my children. Mott Media reprinted them in 1982, and you can even buy them at Walmart (online) these days.
"It is evening. The sun is setting behind the mountains, and the shadows begin to darken the forests. The birds have ceased to sing, except as lonely robin or a thrush, that sits upon the top of a tree, and sings a plaintive hymn.
"The farmer has left the field and is going to his happy home. The bee is silent in the hive. The buzzing insects are still, and the fowls, who, a little while ago, were filling the air with their notes, are heard no more. All around us seem to see repose, and the very hills and valleys appear to be sinking into gentle sleep. We too must now retire to our pillows.
"Before we close our eyes, let us lift up our hearts in gratitude to that Great Being who never sleeps, but watches over us, as the shepherd watches over his flock.
"Let us ask His forgiveness for our faults and His aid to avoid every sin. Let us seek His friendship, and ask Him to assist us to be kind and amiable to our brothers and sisters, and companions- to be gentle to every living thing, to obey and love our parents, to respect the aged, and to be kind to the sick and to the poor.
"Above all, let us ask God to fill our hearts with love for Him, to inspire us with a love of everything that is good, and to refrain from everything that is evil. Let us ask Him to make us love to tell the truth, and to be ashamed to tell a lie.
"Let us ask Him to watch over us in our sleep when darkness is around us, and none but He is awake to keep us from evil."
~Eclectic Second Reader, Lesson XIII
