I Love Thee

It is said that the following poem was found in an old textbook that had been used to teach children to read:
“I love you, mother,” said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.
“I love you, mother,” said rosy Nell;
“I love you better than tongue can tell;”
Then she teased and pouted full half the day,
Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.
“I love you, mother,” said little Fan;
“To-day I’ll help you all I can;
How glad I am that school doesn’t keep!”
So she rocked the babe till it fell asleep.
Then, stepping softly, she fetched the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and happy as child could be.
“I love you, mother,” again they said–
Three little children going to bed;
How do you think that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?

No one knows who wrote the hymn, “I Love Thee,” but it expresses the same thoughts as the poem above. We love to sing, “..but how much I love thee, my actions will show,” but are we ready to perform deeds that show how much we love God?

I LOVE THEE
Anonymous
I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee, my Lord;
I love Thee, my Savior, I love Thee, my God:
I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know;
but how much I love Thee my actions will show.
I’m happy, I’m happy, oh, wondrous account!
My joys are immortal, I stand on the mount:
I gaze on my treasure and long to be there,
with Jesus and angels and kindred so dear.
O Jesus, my Savior, with Thee I am blest,
my life and salvation, my joy and my rest:
Thy name be my theme, and Thy love be my song;
Thy grace shall inspire both my heart and my tongue.
Oh, who’s like my Savior? He’s Salem’s bright King;
He smiles and He loves me and helps me to sing:
I’ll praise Him. I’ll praise Him with notes loud and clear,
while rivers of pleasure my spirit shall cheer.