They tell him, all he has on earth, his brightest dearest things, His loves and friendships, joys and hopes, have all their falls and springs: A wave upon a moon-lit sea, a leaf before the blast, A summer flower, an April hour, that gleams and hurries past. And be it so I know it well: myself, and all that's mine, Must roll on with the rolling year, and ripen to decline. I do not shun the solemn truth: to him it is not drear Whose hopes can rise above the skies, and see a Saviour near. It only makes him feel with joy, this earth is not his home; It sends him on from present ills to brighter hours to come : It bids him take with thankful heart whate'er his God may send, Content to go through weal or woe to glory in the end. Then murmur on, ye wintry winds; remind me of my doom: Ye lengthened nights, still image forth the darkness of the tomb. Eternal summer lights the heart where Jesus deigns to shine. I mourn no loss, I shun no cross, so thou, O Lord, art mine! 66 LO, WE HAVE LEFT ALL, AND FOLLOWED THEE." JESUS, I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow Thee: Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shalt be. Perish, every fond ambition, All I've sought, and hoped, and known ; Yet how rich is my condition,— God and heaven are still my own! Let the world despise and leave me— Thou art not, like man, untrue : And while Thou shalt smile upon me, Foes may hate, and friends may shun me : Go then, earthly fame and treasure! Man may trouble and distress me; Heaven will bring me sweeter rest. O, 'tis not in grief to harm me, While Thy love is left to me! Take, my soul, thy full salvation; Joy to find in every station Something still to do or bear! Think what Spirit dwells within thee; What thy Saviour died to win thee,— Haste then on from grace to glory, Armed by faith, and winged by prayer ; Heaven's eternal day's before thee; God's own hand shall guide thee there. |