Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

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;
'Weep not, child of sorrow, for hopes that were thine,
Unblest are the gifts of an UNHALLOWED shrine,
Thy idol was earthly-thy life-star has set,

Bright stars are in HEAVEN that beam for thee yet!'
Weep not for the past, though it hold in its gloom
Loved forms, that have sunk to their rest in the
tomb-

Fond voices, that rang in the laugh of the song,
And faces that smiled as they flitted along;
O, call them not back! for they went in their

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
That gives not some sunbeam to lighten our way,
But cull from the past, from each blessing that dies,
A gem to illumine the crown for the skies.
The future is o'er us;- the present is ours,
To shroud it in sadness, or gild it with flowers;
To sink on life's ocean, or find on its wave
A halo that wakes e'en the gloom of the grave!

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.

[ocr errors]

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 submit to wants and woes,
Who shall teach me, who shall tell me
Where my heart may find repose.

To the stars I fain would reach me,
There the God of light must dwell;
Sacred teachers! will ye teach me?
Blest instructors! will ye tell?

How my voice may reach that portal
Where the seraphs crowd in throngs;
How the lispings of a mortal

May be heard 'midst angel songs!

God and Father! Thou didst give me
Sorrow for my portion here;

But thy mercy will not leave me
Helpless, struggling with despair;
For to Thee, when sad and lonely,
Unto Thee, alone, I turn;
And to thee, my Father! only

Look for comfort when I mourn.

Nor in vain for light is breaking

'Midst the sorrows, 'midst the storms;
And methinks I see awaking
Heavenly hopes and angel forms;
And my spirit waxes stronger,
And my trembling heart is still;
And my bosom doubts no longer
Thine inexplicable will.

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,
Thou the blood of life hast shed;
Thou hast filled a mortal bier,
Jesus, Son of David, hear!

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.

« AnteriorContinuar »