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460.

Let others fondly seek the vain reward,
The fleeting phantom of this world's regard;
Be theirs at every hazard to be great,
To live in splendour, and to rot in state:
But, Christian, thou with nobler views must rise!
This world thy prison-house, thine home the skies.
Leave then the proud to grasp the rod of

power,

The glittering baubles of an earthly hour,
To bid the prostrate throng in homage bow,
And place a diadem upon their brow:

Thy crown with brighter gems than theirs shall shine;

Earth is their kingdom, heaven above is thine.

461.

Live near to God in this world, if thou wouldst dwell with him in that which is to come.

462.

O'er the dusty bed reclining

Where thine eyes are seal'd in sleep,

How shall I repress repining?

How shall I forbear to weep?

Guardian, guide, and kind protector,
More to me than tongue can tell,
Childhood's stay, and youth's director,
Friend and father, fare thee well!

463.

What are power and dominion, when the sword and the sceptre will be hidden by the gloom of and the diadem covered with the dust

the grave, of death?

464.

The battle-blast was loudly blown,

And standards wav'd in air;
Ambition, fame, and victory,
And glory, glitter'd there.

The bloody waves of war ran high;
And in that crimson tide,
A thousand manly bosoms bled-
A thousand brethren died.

I fiercely fought; my hand was red
With gore the slaughter'd foe
Fell round me, till a stronger arm
Subdued, and laid me low.

Oppress'd with wounds, I linger'd long,
Till God subdued my pride,
And taught me by his grace to seek

A Saviour crucified.

I learn'd to hate thee, cruel war:
This stone is rais'd in view,
That all who gaze upon my grave
May learn to hate thee too.

465.

Through youth and honour'd age his life was spent

In deeds of love; and death was only sent
To place him nearer His almighty throne
Whom he so long had serv'd, and serv'd alone.

466.

We could not raise a monument commensurate to his merit, we have therefore erected one in agreement with his modesty.

467.

O what is the sum of earthly things?
And what thy fleeting breath?

If thou art alone, then read my stone,

And ponder awhile on death.

Prepare for thine end as thou look'st on the tomb

If thou wouldst salvation see,

For the fearful fall that will come to all

Is certain to come to thee.

Sickness will come, and the hour will come
When hope shall be no more;

Thy friend's last sigh, and the glance of his eye,
As he leaves thy chamber-door.

Sorrow will come, and pain will come,

And steal thy lingering breath;

And darkness profound will gather around,
And leave thee alone in death.

Thy shroud will come, and thy coffin will come,
And the grave where corruption lies;
And the trumpet-blast will be heard at last,
And the quick and the dead will arise.
Saints will come, and the Judge will come,
And as thou hast done ill or well,

Thy soul with delight, or in blackest night,
Will depart for heaven or hell.

468.

Though the root of the oak may delve deep in the ground,

Yet the leaf-laden branch will exultingly rise; Though the dust of our friend in the tomb may be found,

Yet his spirit triumphantly soars in the skies.

469.

He liv'd in faith; and, trusting in his God, Through rough and thorny paths he meekly

trod:

He died in peace; and, through redeeming grace, The heaven of heavens is now his dwelling-place.

470.

How soon are they forgotten whom the grave has covered!

471.

With erring heart I went astray

In paths of sin, and wander'd wide,
Till Mercy met me in my way,
And softly whisper'd, "Jesus died.”
Offended at that sudden sound
Indignantly I turn'd aside;

But still the voice was heard around,
And still it whisper'd, “ Jesus died.”

Then Justice cross'd my path, and stood
Erect and stern to quell my pride;
His glittering sword was bath'd in blood,
Ah, well for me that Jesus died!

Come forth, thou traitor to thy God!”
His voice in thundering accents cried :
Oppress'd, I sank upon the sod,

And faintly answer'd, "Jesus died."

E'en as I faulter'd forth the word,

He strove his blushing face to hide, And sheath'd in haste his blood-stain'd sword, And then I shouted, “Jesus died!”

472.

She earnestly sought and found grace with Jesus, and was happy in the conviction that she should soon see Him face to face in whom she believed, and rejoiced with joy unspeakable.

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