Wherefore we sing both heart and voice awaking, Alleluia!
And children voices echo, answer making, Alleluia to
the Lord!
With Alleluia evermore,
The Son and Spirit we adore.
Praise be done to the Three in One,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen!”
How sweet the anthem was as it floated over the meadow and upward toward God! The cows stood quietly listening; and Gill stopped his work to hear the strain, and Lucy came to the kitchen door with Jack in her arms, and Dobbin pricked up his ears and forgot his hay, and the birds joined the concert, and the crickets chimed in with their cheerful notes,—and, really, the old market-cart standing under the apple-tree with, the thills resting upon the bar of the fence, seemed almost like a church, with the blue and crimson and green overhead, and the worshipers swelling out this hymn of praise to the great Creator.
“It sounds so very sweet,” said little Sally. “Mamma sings like an angel, I should think.”
Mamma put her hand on the child’s head. “We must all try and learn the angel’s song,—Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” she said.