PREFACE. 1 1 



Lines written under a feeling ef the immediate approach 

 of Death. 



The damps of death are on my brow, the chill is in my 



heart, 

 My blood has almost ceased to flow, my hopes of life 



depart ; 



The valley and the shadow before me open wide, 

 But thou, Oh Lord ! even there wilt be my guardian and 



my guide. 



For what is pain, if thou art nigh its bitterness to quell ? 

 And where death's boasted victory, his last triumphant 



spell? 



Oh! Saviour, in that hour when mortal strength is nought, 

 When nature's agony comes on, and every anguished 



thought 



Springs in the breaking heart a source of darkest woe, 

 Be nigh unto my soul, nor permit the floods o'erflow. 

 To thee ! to thee alone ! dare I raise my dying eyes; 

 Thou didst for all atone, by thy wondrous sacrifice ; 

 Oh ! in thy mercy's richness extend thy smiles on me, 

 And let my soul outspeak thy praise throughout eternity ! 



" Beneath the above stanzas is the following note: 

 ' Rather more than a year has elapsed since the above 

 was first written. Death is now certainly near at hand ; 



