The Kings and Queens of England with Other Poems | Page 4

faith
to view when most distressed:
Oh! this life past--mayst thou find
entrance there.
Perplexed, distressed, sick, or by friends betrayed,
Beset with snares,
deprived of human aid,
In all thy sorrows whatsoe'er they be,
Go to
the Saviour, tell him all thy need,
Entreat his pity, he's a friend indeed;

Lay hold by faith on Him, and he will succor thee.
Oh, do not live
for this dull world alone,
When with the Angels thou mayst find a
home.
Jan. 1853.
THE EVENING OF LIFE.
As the shadows of evening around me are falling,
With its dark
sombre curtain outspread,
And night's just at hand, chilly night so
appalling,
And day's brilliant sunshine hath fled,
It is e'en so with me, for the eve of my day
Has arrived, yet I scarcely
know how;
Bright morn hath departed, and noon passed away,
And
'tis evening, pale eve with me now.
Oh! where are the friends who in life's early morn,
With me did their
journey commence;
Some are estranged, while some few still remain,

And others departed long since.
And when I too, like them, shall be summoned away,
And the
shadows of death on me fall,
Be thou the Great Shepherd of Israel but
near,
My Saviour, my God, and my all.
And though the "dark valley" we all must pass through,
Yet surely no
evil can harm
The sheep, when the Shepherd is walking there too,


And supports them by his mighty arm.
Oh! my Redeemer, wilt thou be with me then,
And food for my
journey provide,
Divide the dark waters of Jordan again,
And safe
in thy bosom me hide.
Though wild beasts of the desert may roar long and loud,
And the
billows of ocean rise high,
With thy rod and thy staff for my strength
and support,
I shall pass them in safety all by.
And having crossed Jordan, on Canaan's bright shore
With what joy
shall I take a survey,
And reflect that the dangers of life are all o'er,

And with unclouded vision enjoy evermore
The bright sun of an
endless day.
Weston, Feb. 4, 1852.
AN ACROSTIC.
Merry, merry little child,
Active, playful, sometimes wild;
Rosy
cheeks, and ringlets rare,
Glossy black, with eyes compare.
All, all
these belong to thee,
Right pleasant little Margerie.
Every good,
dear child, be given
Thee on earth, and rest in heaven.
But who thy
future lot can see?
All, every page is hid from me;
Xtended through
eternity,
Thy life so late begun will be.
Earnest seek to know the
truth,
Remember God in early youth;
When in his sacred courts
thou art,
Engage in worship thy whole heart;
Listen to what the
preacher says,
Listen to prayers, and list to praise,
In nothing see
thou dost offend,
Nor fail the Sabbath well to spend.
Give to thy
parents honor due,
Thy sisters love, and brothers too;
Oh! good and
happy mayst thou be,
Now and ever, Margerie.
AN ACROSTIC.
Cannot happiness perfect be found on this earth?

How absurd to

expect it--sin comes with our birth.
As soon from spring bitter, sweet
water procure,
Rich clusters of grapes from the thorn;
Look for figs
upon thistles, when seeking for food,
Or bread from the cold flinty
stone.
The wealth of the Indies, true peace can't bestow,
The Crown
Royal oft presses an aching brow,
E'en in laughter there's
madness--mirth coupled with woe.
As true peace in this world, then, can never be found,
Until deep in
the heart Christian graces abound,
Give diligent heed to the keeping
thy heart;
Unwearied in effort, repel every dart
So dextrously
pointed by Satan's black art.
True peace is from Heaven--a child of
the skies,
And feeble exertions secure not the prize.
Never falter in duty, but trust in that power
Engaged to support you in
each trying hour;
When sinking like Peter amidst the dark wave,

Ever look unto Jesus, almighty to save.
Look to_ him, live _like him,
be strong in his might,
Lay thy burden_ on him, and thy _cross he'll
make light.
WRITTEN UPON RECEIVING A NEW YEAR'S GIFT.
I have a little Grandchild dear,
Who sends to me on each new year
A valuable present:
Not costly gift from store-house bought,
But
one that her own hands have wrought,
Therefore to me more pleasant.
Accept, dear child, the wish sincere,
For you much happiness this
year,
And length of days be given;
Here may you act well your part,

Serving the Lord with all your heart,
And find your rest in heaven.

Jan. 1852.
LINES
TO THE MEMORY OF PATRICK KELLEY, WHO BY HIS
MANY GOOD QUALITIES DURING SOME YEARS'
RESIDENCE IN MY FAMILY, GREATLY ENDEARED
HIMSELF TO ME AND MINE.
From Erin's fair Isle to this country he came,
And found brothers and
sisters to welcome him here;
Though then but a youth, yet robust
seemed his frame,
And life promised fair for many a long year.
A place was soon found where around the same board,
He with two
of his sisters did constantly meet;
And when his day's work had all
been performed,
At the same fireside he found a third seat.
His faithfulness such, so true-hearted was he,
That love in return
could not be denied;
As one of the family--he soon ceased to be
The
stranger, who lately