NEWS OF SORROW. 291 



ministered to him in his last hours, I would not 

 have it otherwise now. Through the mercy of 

 Christ, may we soon bow in praise around the 

 throne of God ! Some of the hirth-day lines 

 addressed to him years ago by his elder brother, 

 are, with a slight accommodation, equally ap- 

 propriate now that he has passed the solemn 

 threshold and BIRTH-DAY of a BLESSED ETER- 

 NITY ! 



"How recollection paints anew 



The times when, in our own dear home, 



We talk of mercies past, and view 

 The heavenly life to come ! 



" 'Tis just in heaven, thy happy dawn 

 But ah ! how full the mingled scene 



On memory's pictured tablets drawn 

 Calm now, and all serene : 



" Serene because a blessed faith 

 Throws o'er each melancholy line 



That marks affliction's rugged path, 

 The gleam of love divine. 



" Through all it sees thy Father's form, 

 His gracious, guiding hand beholds ; 



And in the gloomiest of the storm 

 Some bright design unfolds. 



"Amid the sufferings of years, 



Thou secst thou didst not walk alone ; 



WluTe all was agony and tears, 

 There most His mercy shone. 



T > 



