429. If thou art rich, regard the bed of death; Let now thy store to useful ends be given: 430. Dost thou on thy virtues dwell? 431. God had long been preparing her for an entrance into the mansions of eternal bliss, and, when we least expected it, her redeemed soul took its flight into the presence of her God and Saviour. 432. A shipwreck'd mariner lies here asleep, But heaven his haven shall for ever be. 433. This frail memorial of departed worth is raised over the dust of an affectionate wife and tender mother, who closed a life of usefulness by a death of tranquillity. 434. O fear thou not, Christian, to die! A season at peace and at rest, We shall wait in this tranquil abode ; Then spring to the realms of the bless'd, And exult in the presence of God. 435. How numerous are the mouldering dead! How soon thy tombstone may be read, 436. If man has trespass'd on thy peace, Thus spoke, when He was here below, 66 Till thou canst every sin forgive, 437. In evil hour I fell, oppress'd with pain, 438. Could this memorial speak her worth 439. Who can a thousand gifts impart, Who can his strength and grace supply, Who from the tomb can bid thee rise, 440. A thousand fears of dreadful name But O, in what a heavenly frame, With glory shining round his head, 441. As he once knew, who slumbers here, 442. He passed his days in retirement, and in the practice of domestic virtue. May thy life, Reader, be as free from blame, and thy death be as deservedly lamented. 443. When sickness came, and death appear'd, To give her soul release, No terrors gather'd round her heart: For though the Lord the wicked tries He gently leads his little ones, O why should they repine at death, Who know that they shall find in God She softly laid her throbbing head And, listening to his soothing voice, 444. He was born a Briton, bred a Soldier, 445. What is the heritage of the righteous?—A life of peace, a death of hope, and a resurrection to endless glory. |