W. Yes, Sir, our songs are about something.
G. Do you suppose the sweet song which you hear from the lark has no meaning?
W. I do not know, Sir; it is not like our songs.
G. Certainly not; but do not the beautiful notes of the bird lead you to think of him who made the bird, and who gave it that sweet voice?
W. Yes, Sir; we know that it was God who made the birds, and beasts, and all things, and enabled them to sing.
G. And is it not God who gave you the ability to sing? Your powers, as well as those of the birds, came from God, who created all things. You know this, but the lark does not: this makes a great difference between you and the bird.
W. But we do not sing as he does: what we sing has a meaning.
G. Where is the great difference? The bird sings for its pleasure; I think you only sing to amuse yourselves.
J. But we need not sing for sorrow.
G. There are sorrowful songs; but we generally sing to express our joy. Still there should be a difference between our joy and that of birds. If we know God, and love him with our hearts, we shall remember him in our joy, for we are his work and belong to him. We should do all things for his glory; the Bible tells us so. The Apostle says: “You are bought with a price, (meaning the sufferings which Christ endured for his people,) therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor. vi. 20. see also Eph. ii. 10. 2 Cor. v. 17.)