384

C. M.

Mear.

DEATH OF A TEACHER.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”— 1 Thes. iv. 14.

1

WHAT though the arm of conquering death

Does now our peace invade;

What though our teacher and our friend
Is numbered with the dead;-

2 Though earthly shepherds sink to rest,
No more to guide the young;

The watchful eye in darkness closed,
And dumb the instructive tongue ;-
3 The eternal Shepherd still survives,
His teaching to impart :

Lord, be our Leader and our Guide,
And rule and keep our heart.
4 Thy spirit, dearest teacher, fled,
Sustained by grace divine;

Oh, may such grace on us be shed
And make our end like thine.

385

8s & 7s.

Sicilian Hymn.

DEATH OF A PUPIL.

"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."-1 Cor. xv. 53.

1

ONE

sweet flower has drooped and faded, One loved scholar's voice has fled, One fair brow the grave has shaded,

One dear school-mate now is dead.

2 Why should we feel thoughts of sadness?
For our friend is happy now;
She has knelt in soul-felt gladness,
Where the blessed angels bow.
3 She has gone to heaven before us,
But she turns and waves her hand,
Pointing to the glories o'er us,
In that happy spirit-land.

4 May our footsteps never falter
In the path that she has trod;
May we worship at the altar
Of the great and living God.

5 Lord, may angels watch above us,
Keep us all from error free-

May they guard, and guide, and love us,
Till, like her, we go to thee.

386

C. M.

DEATH OF A PUPIL.

Mear.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more deatli, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."-Rev. xxi. 4.

1

CALM

on the bosom of thy God,
Young spirit, rest thee now!

E'en while with us thy footstep trod,
His seal was on thy brow.

2 Dust to its narrow house beneath!
Soul to its place on high!

They that have seen thy look in death,
No more may fear to die.

3 Lone are the paths, and sad the hours,
Since thy meek spirit's gone;

But, oh, a brighter home than ours,
In heaven, is now thine own!

387

1

THE DEPARTURE OF THE CHRISTIAN.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" -Ps. cxvi. 15.

EAR as thou wert, and justly dear,

DEA

We will not weep for thee:

One thought shall check the starting tear,
It is that thou art free.

? And thus shall faith's consoling powers
The tears of love restrain;
Oh, who that saw thy parting hour
Could wish thee here again?

3 Triumphant in thy closing eye,
The hope of glory shone;
Joy breathed in thy expiring sigh,
To think the fight was won.

4 Gently the passing spirit fled,
Sustained by grace divine;

Oh, may such grace on me be shed,
And make my end like thine!