88 I SEE THEE STILL. I SEE THEE STILL. CHARLES SPRAGUE. I SEE thee still : Remembrance, faithful to her trust, I see thee still In every hallowed token round: This book was thine here didst thou read; I see thee still. I see thee still: Here was thy summer noon's retreat ; Here was thy favorite fireside seat; This was thy chamber-here, each day, I see thee still : Thou art not in the grave confined — WORDS TO A MOURNING HUSBAND. REV. ROBERT HALL. You have learned, my dear friend, the terms on which all earthly unions are formed; the ties on earth are not perpetual, and must be dissolved; and every enjoyment but that which is spiritual, every life but that which is "hid with Christ in God," is of short duration. Nothing here is given with an ulti 90 WORDS TO A MOURNING HUSBAND. mate view to enjoyment, but for the purpose of trial, to prove us, and "to know what is in our hearts; and if we are upright before God, to do us good in the latter end." You had, no doubt, often anticipated such an event as the inevitable removal of one from the other; and I hope neither of you were wanting in making a due improvement of the solemn reflection, and laying up cordial for such an hour. Still I am well aware that the actual entrance of death into the domestic circle is unutterably solemn, and places things in a different light from what we ever saw them in before. This heavy blow is undoubtedly intended to quicken your preparation for a future world. It loudly says to you, and to all, "Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh." God grant it may be eminently sanctified by weaning you more completely from this world, and "setting your affections" more entirely and habitually "on things that are above." You will then, in the midst of that deep regret such a loss has necessarily inspired, have cause to bless God that you were afflicted. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."-PSALM XXXIV. SHE SLEEPS THAT STILL AND PLACID SLEEP. HERVEY. SHE sleeps that still and placid sleep, O, never more upon her grave Shall I behold the wild flower wave! They laid her where the sun and moon And the wild river's wailing song And I have dreamed, in many dreams, Till in my soul she grew enshrined, A young Egeria of the mind! 'Tis years ago and other eyes Have flung their beauty o'er my youth; 92 SHE SLEEPS THAT STILL AND PLACID SLEEP. And I have hung on other sighs, And sounds that seemed like truth; And I have left the cold and dead, O for a refuge and a home Age sits upon my breast and brain, And thou art dearer in thy shroud Rise, gentle vision of the hours, Which go like birds that come not back, O for the wings that made thee blest, |