took her away.”  p. 112And, Lord, teach us In all things Thy wisdom to see. Thou wouldst not have us alway be Wandering this vale of misery.

p. 112

HER SUFFERING.

Great had her sorrow been, Anguish and woe, Pouring their full fury, Bearing her low. But, in agony sore, The affliction she bore Meek as a child. Though every breath was in agony seethed, Yet not a murmur her parchéd lips breathed, So passively mild. All the earth’s gladness Is but as sadness Unto her now. All its gay pleasures And its great treasures Are but as measures  Empty and vain. Peace, peace in her soul Has fullest control.

p. 113HER DEATH.

p. 113

Then the deliverer came, And, in the glorious name Of the great God, took her away High unto the regions of day. And, ere she yielded her breath Unto the angel of death, These were the last words she spoke— How sweetly from her lips they broke!— “Saviour, receive my spirit,” Breathed in all the merit Of her Redeemer’s love. He stood waiting above, Watching the angels move Unto His throne. And thus the angel came and went; But they who by the pillow bent Were not the power of vision lent To see the holy being sent Among them then, And moving when He passed away, Felt not the soft zephyrs lay Room for his wing, p. 114Heard not the heavenly throng Their glad anthem sing, Till the fulness of their song Made the high arches ring.

p. 114

THE LAST FAREWELL.

Well I remember Her long, lingering look,— The last farewell I took, Returning from home.  ’Twas early September, The cornfields looked yellow, And garden fruits mellow Were beginning to come. She came to the gate with me, And faltered, “Farewell!” But oh! it was a hard one; The silent tear fell Down from her eye. Merrily the birds sang, But in her heart rang A more sorrowful lay, As she saw me away, Watching the turn Where ripples the burn, p. 115Till I had gone past; And this was the last— The last of farewells. Oh how Time tells His wonderful power, So stern in the hour!

p. 115

REFLECTIONS.

Low the flowing crops bent, With their fulness content; And many a sickle was sent Into the rustling fields, While the gay reaper wields The bounty which God yields In his goodness to man. 

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