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Till the last scene of latest life be trod,
And it is past—a life without a God!
Oh happier they who feel his chastening hand,
And by affliction learn His high command;
Whom sorrow leads to tremble, and adore,
To know Him better, and to seek Him more;
Who, as the world, and its vain hope recedes,
Welcome the brighter prospect that succeeds;
Pour in humility, and hope, their tears,
And with religion hallow all their years.
What though by grief, by pain, by sufferings,
They learnt the value of eternal things;
And the rapt soul, that seemed on earth to hang,
Was slowly weaned by many a silent pang,
And many a bitter conflict—many a strife
Lingered around the vanities of life;
Yet patience, virtue, persevering love,
At length have borne the chastened heart above,
And holier tastes, and purer joys arise,
And peace descends—such peace as glads the skies.
O deem them blest—in every scene they try,
They live as children 'neath their Father's eye,
Guard every virtue, feed each pure desire,
And watch through life o'er the ethereal fire.
Does disappointment sadden o'er their youth,
They seek the refuge of eternal truth;
And it is past—a life without a God!
Oh happier they who feel his chastening hand,
And by affliction learn His high command;
Whom sorrow leads to tremble, and adore,
To know Him better, and to seek Him more;
Who, as the world, and its vain hope recedes,
Welcome the brighter prospect that succeeds;
Pour in humility, and hope, their tears,
And with religion hallow all their years.
What though by grief, by pain, by sufferings,
They learnt the value of eternal things;
And the rapt soul, that seemed on earth to hang,
Was slowly weaned by many a silent pang,
And many a bitter conflict—many a strife
Lingered around the vanities of life;
Yet patience, virtue, persevering love,
At length have borne the chastened heart above,
And holier tastes, and purer joys arise,
And peace descends—such peace as glads the skies.
O deem them blest—in every scene they try,
They live as children 'neath their Father's eye,
Guard every virtue, feed each pure desire,
And watch through life o'er the ethereal fire.
Does disappointment sadden o'er their youth,
They seek the refuge of eternal truth;
