Pushing the clods of earth aside, Leaving the dark where foul things hide, Spreading its leaves to the summer sun, Bondage ended, freedom won; So, my soul, like the ivy be, Rise, for the sunshine calls for thee!
Climbing up as the seasons go, Looking down upon things below, Twining itself in the branches high, As if the frail thing owned the sky; So, my soul, like the ivy be, Heaven, not earth, is the place for thee.
Wrapping itself round the giant oak, Hiding itself from the tempest’s stroke; Strong and brave is the fragile thing, For it knows one secret, how to cling: So, my soul, there’s strength for thee, Hear the Mighty One, “Lean on me!”
Green are its leaves when the world is white, For the ivy sings through the frosty night; Keeping the hearts of oak awake, Till the flowers shall bloom and the spring shall break; So, my soul, through the winter’s rain, Sing the sunshine back again.
Opening its green and fluttering breast, Giving the timid birds a nest; Coming out from the winter wild, To make a wreath for the Holy Child; So let my life like the ivy be, A help to man and a wreath for Thee! —_Good Words._
A special dispensation of weather seemed to have been prepared for the accommodation of the second graduating class of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle on Saturday. A bright warm day was benevolently shaded and cooled by nature’s great sunshade of cloud during all the out-door exercises, and promptly upon the entry of the multitude under the cover of the Amphitheater it began to rain to still further cool the air. Everything was opportune, and the surroundings faultless.
The management terrestrial was equally good. There were four different processions, in five divisions, moving from different rendezvous in the grounds and converging and articulating with each other. Each of them started on time “to a tick,” got to and dropped into place, and everything moved with the smoothness and precision of a well-adjusted machine. The program, as prepared, was carried out to the letter and second.
The attendance was as immense, the feeling as good as the day and management. The unprecedented crowd of the night before was augmented in the morning by boat-loads and train-loads, and when the signal-bells for beginning the day’s movement sounded the avenues were thronged.