Part 4

I give thee to Jesus, my dear little one. To the kind Shepherd’s care I commit thee in love. May He clothe thee in truth that outshineth the sun, And lead thee by faith to the Mansions Above. Thus I hope for His blessing by day and by night, To let thee proclaim the great Gospel of Light, And strengthen thy heart to praise Christ and adore, When thy mother shall rest on the Heavenly Shore.

OUR FIRST-BORN

This little angel at my side, Just four days old, our God hath given, The little spirit newly fledged, Just from our Father’s hand in Heaven. Like a bright sunbeam thou art come, To cheer and bless our earthly home.

No word ever fell from the dear little lips, So sweet and so ruby; so guileless and mute. God teach thee the language of love, my sweet babe: May glad songs of Jesus pour forth from thy lute. When fresh buds of thought are early unfolding, God give to thy heart the true, heavenly molding, And placing Christ’s image all glorious there, To shield in temptation and lead thee to prayer; In purity guide thee, sustained by His might; And crown thee at last in the City of Light, Where never to sin and to suffer and die, We’ll sing “Hallelujah” in Bowers on High.

THE MOTHER’S THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH OF HER FIRST-BORN

Where is darling baby gone? Where is my sweet, cherished boy, With his soft hands at the dawn Waking me in childish joy? Where are those blue, sparkling eyes, That were like stars of hope to me? The angels took him to the skies, To dwell, O God! to dwell with Thee.

He left his foot-prints in my home, His voice is in my heart; He left a kiss upon my lips, That never can depart. And there in Heaven where angels dwell, Where parting tears are never known, There lives the sweet and cherished one, Which here on earth I called my own.

Dear Saviour, let me, on Thy breast, In faithfulness and praise recline. O let me never faint and fall, Nor ever mourn while Thou art mine! Thy spirit, Lord, is with me yet, To wipe all tear-drops from my eyes, And when the sun of life is set, The loved shall meet me in the skies.

And now adown the path of life I go to cheer the faint and worn, And scatter words and acts of love, For those of hope and comfort shorn. In Thy bright foot-prints, O my Lord! Help me to lead some straying one. Be Thou my strength and hope and shield; Be Thou to me the rising sun. Rivers of pleasure, full and free, Shall then flow from Thy throne above, And all my gloom forgotten be, Hid in the ocean of Thy love.

ANGEL-TWIN

They took the new-born baby-twin, And sought to give it breath; Yet all in vain, the quiv’ring heart Soon silent lay in death.

It never knew an earthly care. It never wept a tear. Who would recall the innocent? O who could wish it here!

Deep Slumber hushed it on her breast; It sleeps beneath the sod. We would not wake that guileless one, That fair and folded bud.

The mother clasps the living twin With a young mother’s love; Yet even she would not recall That sister babe above.

Dear Saviour, guard this little one, Which Thou hast kindly given; That she may meet the sister-saint; Twin-angels, joined in Heaven.

OUR CHILDREN

“Our children.” Oft we hear these words, Yet none but parents know How deep they thrill the parent’s heart. The oceans ebb and flow; You stand upon the shores and see The shining billows roll; ’Twould be another thing to have The oceans in your soul; To hear their music fill your heart, Telling of hidden goal; To feel the rush of every wave, And have the vast control.

You watch the stars, the fadeless stars That glitter on their way; Yet if you had them all in charge, To keep them night and day, O then your glorious retinue, Your starry host so bright, Would be outweighed by one of these: Our children of delight, Nor the care these loved ones want, To guide their thoughts aright, That they may find the shining shore, Beyond our mortal sight.

“Our children.” O these priceless words Wake all life’s hidden springs; Strike all the chords of hope and joy: New thoughts spread trembling wings; Fears whisper, and emotions weep, While Hope lights up the tears That oft baptize, like dewy spray, Our darlings. May their years Be filled with Wisdom’s holy light, And sweet with holy cheer; And may their brows be crowned with love, Pure as the angels wear.

Our precious children! How we toil To gather joys for them; To shield them from the wintry blast: What chilling tides we stem, And when at last we sink in death, God shield each darling one, And keep them all in Virtue’s path; The Tempter’s smile to shun; Redeemed from sin, made pure and wise, For that glad home above the skies.

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Transcriber’s Notes:

Seemingly inconsistent indentation was retained as printed.