The Lad With The Loaves and Fishes

The Lad With The Loaves and Fishes
by Hannah Flagg Gould

When by Christ the throng were led

Up the lonely mountain's side,

Where the multitude were fed,

Who the wondrous food supplied?

Those five loaves and fishes two,

Which for thousands were to do-

Who the loaves and fishes brought

Whence the miracle was wrought?

Wife, nor maid, nor mother then

Might the rural feast prepare;

Not the young, nor white-haired men

Should provide the timely fare.

But a little Christian boy

For the work did Christ employ,

Pleased, his host of friends among,

To distinguish one so young.

Still doth Jesus love to count

Young disciples, fair and true,

Like the lad upon the mount

Where his early friends he drew.

Every little gift or deed

He can bless, like planted seed,

Or the barley-loaves of old,

To increase a thousand fold.

Though your gift be but a mite

Spared to send his word afar,

It may prove a ray of light

Spread and brightened to a star!

This the star of morn may be

O'er some land beyond the sea,

Opening up the shining way

Of the peaceful gospel day.

Little friends of Jesus, aim,

While your life is in the flower,

With his spirit, in his name,

To commend his love and power.

Emulate the Hebrew lad,

Who, imparting what he had,

Saw the wonders Christ could do,

And the moral left to you.