POEMS OF JAMES RYDER RANDALL
Lord! I am in the Vale of Death!
No beacon burns within;
Send me a vision of my child
To break the spell of sin.
Bid her come as a bird and say:
“Mother, look up and see
How I aim saved for endless joy—
Sweet mother! follow me!
“Had I remained upon the earth,
As you so fiercely prayed,
There would have come a dismal fate
To grieve your little maid.
Sorrow and sickness and despair
Would toss my soul about,
Till I should live a life of pain
And die the death of doubt.
“Christ, in His mercy and His love,
Has spared your darling this,
Giving instead a home divine
And everlasting bliss.
Lo! He has bid me fly to you,
And in the twilight dim,
Reveal how I was called away
To lead you on to Him!
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