Little Ida’s Flowers

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  “MY poor flowers are quite dead!” said little Ida. “They were so pretty yesterday, and now all the leaves hang withered. Why do they do that? . . . Why do the flowers look so faded to-day?” she asked again, and showed him a nosegay, which was quite withered.  “Do you know what’s the matter with them?” said the Student. “The flowers have been at a ball last night, and that’s why they hang their heads.”  “But flowers cannot dance!” cried little Ida. “O yes,” said the Student, “when it grows dark, and we are asleep, they jump about merrily. Almost every night they have a ball.” —Hans Christian Andersen. (1805–1875)

"New Year Prayer" by A.B. Simpson

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"Lord, I would ask for a holy year;
Spent in Thy perfect will;
Help me to walk in Thy very steps--
Help me to please Thee still.

Lord, I would ask for a year of faith;
Give me Thy faith divine.
Taking my full inheritance,
Making Thy fullness mine.

Lord, I would ask for a year of love;
Oh, let me love Thee best!
Give me the love that faileth not
Under the hardest test.

Lord, I would ask for a busy year,
Filled up with service true;
Doing with all Thy Spirit's might
All that I find to do.

Lord, I would ask for a year of prayer--
Teach me to walk with Thee;
Breathe in my heart They Spirit's breath;
Pray Thou Thy prayer in me.

Lord, I would ask for a year of joy,
Thy peace, Thy joy divine,
Springing undimmed through all the days,
Whether of shade of shine.

Lord, I would ask for a year of hope,
Looking to Thee to come,
And hastening on that year of years,
That brings us Christ and Home."

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