My times are in Thy hand! I leave with Thee- this only pray, To welcome Thee, Whene'er Thou comest to set my spirit free. My times are in Thy hand! Howe'er I die, 'Twill be the dawn of heavenly ecstacy. FRAGMENTS. I. UPON your heart this truth may rise: Suffices man's just destinies. So should we live, that every Hour That every Thought and every Deed Esteeming Sorrow, whose employ II. O ye! who talk of Death, and mourn for Death, RICHARD M. MILNES. TO THE DANDELION. My childhood's earliest thoughts are linked with thee; The sight of thee calls back the robin's song, Who, from the dark old tree Beside the door sung clearly all day long, And I, secure in childish piety, With news from Heaven, which he did bring Fresh every day to my untainted ears, When birds and flowers and I were happy peers. Thou art the type of those meek charities Those cheap delights the wise Pluck from the dusty wayside of earth's strife; A starving heart, and teach it to behold Some glimpse of God where all before was cold. Thy wingéd seeds, whereof the winds take care, Are like the words of poet and of sage Which through the free heaven fare, And, now unheeded, in another age Take root, and to the gladdened future bear And, planted safely in the eternal sky, Full of deep love thou art, yet not more full Some words of highest wisdom might be found; How like a prodigal doth nature seem, More sacredly of every human heart, And with a child's undoubting wisdom look JAMES RUSSELL Lowell. THE LAW OF MERCY. 'Tis written with the pen of heavenly Love Where angels read their Sovereign's will unfolded. It bids us seek the holes where Famine lurks, It bids us stand beside the dying bed Of those about to quit the world forever, Smooth the tossed pillow, prop the sinking head, Cheer the heart-broken, whom death hastes to sever. It bids us tell the tempted that the joy Of guilt indulged, will change ere long to sorrow; The draft of sickly sweetness soon will cloy, And those who copy thus Christ's life on earth, TRUST IN PROVIDENCE. WHILST Thee I seek, protecting Power! Be my vain wishes stilled; With better hopes be filled. Thy love the power of thought bestowed, In each event of life, how clear Each blessing to my soul more dear In Because conferred by Thee. every joy that crowns my days, My heart shall find delight in praise, Or seek relief in prayer. |