Part 27 (1/2)

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

_St. Matt._ xviii. 3.

Soul, while on earth thou still remainest, If thou a childlike frame retainest, With thee, e'en here, I know full well, G.o.d and His Paradise will dwell.

A child does not in gold or treasure, Or dazzling pomp of words take pleasure; For whether he be poor or rich Is one to him, he cares not which.

He holds not men in admiration; Nor prince, nor king, nor lofty station Can e'er a little child appal, Yet is he poor, and weak, and small.

Still in his eyes his soul revealing, He dreams not, knows not of concealing; Does all he does with single mind, And thinks of others what is kind.

No anxious thoughts his bosom vexing, No fond conceits his head perplexing, In sweet simplicity he lives, Happy in what the present gives.

A child can not go any distance, Nay, can not stand without a.s.sistance; He holds his mother closely pressed, And lets her lead where she sees best.

No projects in his mind combining, To others' arms his fate resigning, He fears not mischief may befall, But pa.s.sively submits to all.

No care on others' things bestowing, Of others' actions nothing knowing, Whate'er before his eyes is done, In innocence he still looks on.

All day 'tis his beloved employment, From morn till eve his chief enjoyment, To gaze upon his mother's face, Or cling to her with fond embrace.

O Innocence! sweet child's existence!

This have I learnt through G.o.d's a.s.sistance- He who possesses thee is wise, And valued in th' Almighty's eyes.

O childhood! well-beloved of heaven!

Whose mind by Christ alone is given, How longs my heart to feel like thee!

O Jesu! form Thyself in me.

Lord, let me, while on earth remaining, Thus live, a childlike frame retaining; Then with me here, I know full well, G.o.d and His Paradise will dwell.

Lied an dem Gott der Liebe.

Darinnen stehet die Liebe: nicht das wir Gott geliebet haben, sondern da.s.s Er uns geliebet hat.

Liebe, die Du mich zum Bilde Deiner Gottheit hast gemacht, Liebe, die Du mich so milde Nach dem Fall hast wiederbracht, Liebe, Dir ergeb ich mich, Dein zu bleiben ewiglich.

Liebe, die Du mich erkoren, Eh als ich geschaffen war, Liebe, die Du Mensch geboren Und mir gleich wardst ganz und gar, Liebe, Dir ergeb ich mich, Dein zu bleiben ewiglich.

Liebe, die fur mich gelitten Und ges...o...b..n in der Zeit, Liebe, die mir hat erstritten Ewge l.u.s.t und Seligkeit, Liebe, Dir ergeb ich mich, Dein zu bleiben ewiglich.

Liebe, die Du Kunst und Leben, Licht und Wahrheit, Geist und Wort, Liebe, die sich blos ergeben Mir zum Heil und Seelenhort, Liebe, Dir ergeb ich mich, Dein zu bleiben ewiglich.

Liebe, die mich hat gebunden An ihr Joch mit Leib und Sinn, Liebe, die mich uberwunden Und mein Herze hat dahin, Liebe, Dir ergeb ich mich, Dein zu bleiben ewiglich.