"Ne'er my Child forget to Pray."

Ne'er my child forget to pray,

What'ere the business of the day,

If happy dreams have blest thy sleep,

If startling fears have made thee weep:

With holy thoughts begin the day,

And ne'er, my child, forget to pray.

Pray Him by whom the birds are fed,
To give to thee thy daily bread:
If wealth His bounty would bestow,
Praise Him who from all blessings flow:
If He who gave should take away,
O ne'er, my child, forget to pray!

The time will come when thou wilt miss

A father's and a mother's kiss,
And then, my child, perchance you'll see
Some who in prayer ne'er bent a knee:
From all such examples turn away,
And ne'er, my child, forget to pray.

from "Child's book of poetry," Author unknown