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Show I ' I jft Guard the Temple ! ajT By BERTON BRALEY 4 . The forest Is God's temple hushed and dim. Whose shadowy aisles are soothing and serene. Where every leafy branch and spreading limb a Upholds its canopy of lhing green; A temple it took centuries to build In splendid beauty and in stately calm, Where all the world's harsh dissonance is stilled And all the air is odorous with balm The forest is man's refuge from the strife, The dust and heat and clamor of the town. For in the woods he breathes new zest of life, New courage that no odds can batter down Here, in this columned vastne-ss, leafy floored. A choir ol" birds Is ever heard to sing; Here are the waters of the river stored That otherwise would flood the land in spring-Let spring-Let us preserve the forest, fair and cool. From greed that sets no bounds to its desires; Let us preserve it from th careless fool Who starts a holocaust of forest fires; Let u preserve this place of rest and peace. Keep it inviolate while still we can, A haven where the spirit finds release, A temple to God a heritage to Man (Copyright, 1922. NEA Service) |