The fair tree of life, in its glory and pride, Of the land which no mortal may know. There too are the lost! whom we loved on this earth, Oh! who but must pine in this dark vale of tears, To walk in the light of the glory above, And to share in the peace, and the joy, and the love, Of the land which no mortal may know! TOO LATE. BITTER the anguish with these two words blended, Yet do Thou, Lord, by Thy supreme conviction, Give them to feel that, though their sins are great, Thy love and mercy own not our restriction, But that with Thee, it NEVER IS TOO LATE ! FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY. STILL abide the heaven-born Three, Faith, and Hope, and Charity! Faith-to point our heavenly goal, Hope an anchor to the soul: Faith and Hope must pass away; Hope must in possession die; For, in brighter realms above, Love to Him, the great I AM! In that pure and perfect love, And when Faith and Hope are mute, SIGNS AND TOKENS. He who watches winds that blow, He who waits lest clouds should rain, Signs and tokens false may prove; And His Spirit's power within. Keep thou Zion-ward thy face, Faith in God, if such be thine, Prove the best of tokens still. FAREWELL. NAY, shrink not from the word "farewell!" Such fears may prove but vain : Even the last parting earth can know, Brings not unutterable woe, To souls that heavenward soar ; For humble Faith, with steadfast eye, Points to a brighter world on high, Where hearts that here at parting sigh, May meet to part no more. Thomas Moore. 1780-1852. COMFORT IN AFFLICTION. OH! Thou who dry'st the mourner's tear, The friends who in our sunshine live, Which, like the plants that throw Their fragrance from the wounded part, Breathes sweetness out of woe. |