CHRISTIAN CONSOLATION ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS. OH! come it first, or come it last, The sun shall rise, and all be light! Sweet thought, and of sweet solace full, And apt the swelling grief to lull Of those, beside a parting friend And see the grave above it close, The last "long home" of man's repose. It has been said, and I believe, Though tears of natural sorrow start, "Tis mixed with pleasure when we grieve For those the dearest to the heart, From whom long-lived at length we part; As by a Christian's feelings led We lay them in their peaceful bed. Yet speak I not of those who go The allotted pilgrimage on earth, With earth-born passions grovelling low, Enslaved to honour, avarice, mirth, Unconscious of a nobler birth: But such as tread with loftier scope The Christian's path with Christian hope. We grieve to think, that they again Shall ne'er in this world's pleasure share : But sweet the thought, that this world's pain No more is theirs; that this world's care It is no more their lot to bear. We grieve to see the lifeless form, The livid cheek, the sunken eye: But sweet to think, corruption's worm The living spirit can defy, And claim its kindred with the sky. Lo! where the earthen vessel lies! Aloft the unbodied tenant flies. We grieve to think, our eyes no more That form, those features loved, shall trace: But sweet it is from memory's store To call each fondly-cherished grace, And fold them in the heart's embrace. No bliss 'mid worldly crowds is bred, We grieve to see expired the race They ran, intent on works of love: Sin o'er their soul has lost his hold, We grieve to know, that we must roam Have gained, a fair and goodly lot, "Tis grief to feel, that we behind, Severed from those we love, remain : 'Tis joy to hope, that we shall find, Exempt from sorrow, fear, and pain, O Thou, who formest thy creature's mind With thoughts that chasten and that cheer, For sojourning a stranger here There before Thee, the Great, the Good, By angel myriads compassed round, "Made perfect" by the Saviour's blood, With virtue clothed, with honour crowned, "The spirits of the just" are found: There tears no more of sorrow start, Pain flies the unmolested heart, And life in bliss unites whom death no more shall part. TRUE KNOWLEDGE. WHAT is true knowledge ?-Is it with keen eye And wealth political, the depths to try? To marshal nature's tribes in just array; These things, who will may know them, if to know Breed not vain-glory: but o'er all to scan God, in his works and word shewn forth below; Creation's wonders; and Redemption's plan; Whence came we; what to do; and whither go: This is true knowledge, and "the whole of man." THE LORD'S DAY. HAIL to the day, which He, who made the heaven, Hail to the day, when He, by whom was given Arose! That day his Church hath still confest, The Lord's own day! to man's Creator owed, THE HOUSE OF GOD. IT is the Sabbath bell, which calls to prayer, And some o'er fields and the wide hills to roam, And worship in the temple of the air! For me, not heedless of the lone address, Nor slack to greet my Maker on the height, Seek I his presence in each social rite THE VILLAGE CHURCH. DEAR is the ancient village church, which rears Buttress, and porch, and arch with mazy round Nor to the heart more soothing. Blest their lot, Knew they their bliss, who own, their dwelling nigh, Such resting-place; there, by the world forgot, In life to worship, and, when dead, to lie! THE CHURCH BELLS. WHAT varying sounds from yon grey pinnacles Natal or nuptial, in full concert swells: The deep dull toll with lingering warning tells. |