WEEP NOT FOR THE PAST. WEEP not for the past, 't is a dream that has fled, Its sunshine has vanished, its garlands are dead; Deep, deep in its shadows bright hopes are laid low, O! call them not back to the land whence they go. They came as the light that may gleam from on high, From the wing of some spirit that passes us by, So gently - we deemed that the fetters of earth Had fallen away for a holier birth; And they passed- but a voice lingers yet on the ear In accents that fall from some sunnier sphere; Bright stars are in HEAVEN that beam for thee yet!' Fond voices, that rang in the laugh of the song, mirth, Ere their hearts had been chilled by one frost of this earth, And 'tis sweet to lie down with the song yet unsung, And wake its first notes in a heavenly tongue! Then yield not to sorrow, life has not a day THE FOUNDATION OF A CHRISTIAN'S FORTITUDE. LACON. A CHRISTIAN builds his fortitude on a better foundation than stoicism. He is pleased with every thing that happens, because he knows it could not happen unless it had first pleased God, and that which pleases him must be best. He is assured that no new thing can befall him, and that he is in the hands of a FATHER, who will prove him with no affliction that resignation cannot conquer, or that death cannot cure. CONSOLATION SOUGHT AND FOUND. J. BOWRING. WHEN the clouds of desolation Gather o'er my naked head, And my spirit's agitation Knows not where to turn or tread; When life's gathering storms compel me To the stars I fain would reach me, How my voice may reach that portal May be heard 'midst angel songs! God and Father! Thou didst give me But thy mercy will not leave me Look for comfort when I mourn. Nor in vain for light is breaking 'Midst the sorrows, 'midst the storms; WE are forbidden to murmur, but we are not forbidden to regret; and whom we loved tenderly while living, we may still pursue with an affectionate remembrance, without having any occasion to charge ourselves with rebellion against the sovereignty that appointed a separation. COWPER. WHEN our hearts are bowed with woe, When our bitter tears o'erflow, When the hour of death is near, Jesus, Son of David, hear! Thou hast bowed the dying head, RELIGION A SOLACE IN AFFLICTION. BLAIR. WHEN the heart bleeds from some wound of recent misfortune, nothing is of equal efficacy with religious comfort. It is of power to enlighten the darkest hour, and to assuage the severest woe, by the belief of a divine favor, and the prospect of a blessed immortality. In such hopes, the mind expatiates with joy; and when bereaved of its earthly friends, solaces itself with the thoughts of one Friend, who will never forsake it. Refined reasonings, concerning the nature of the human condition, and the improvement which philosophy teaches us to make of every event, may entertain the mind when it is at ease; may, perhaps, contribute to soothe it, when slightly touched with sorrow; but when it is torn with any sore distress, they are cold and feeble, compared with a direct promise from the word of God. This is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast. This has given consolation and refuge to many a virtuous heart, at a time when the most cogent reasonings would have proved utterly unavailing. |