FAMILY PIECES

Ann, we have lived in peace for three long years.

Much pleasure we have had, some crosses too;

Enough to show that in this Vale of Tears

Affliction's needed still to bring us through.

Why should it not be so? Our God is good;

He also wise, and better far doth know

What's best for us, and if we understood

Our interest well we should confess it so.

A man both wise and good did once aver —

“At th’ hands of God we have received good;

And shall not we, who are so prone to err,

Receive our evil too, as best we should?”

My dearest Ann, let not your spirits down,

But with me kiss the rod that God hath sent

His promise is that he will not disown

Those dear to him, though by sore troubles bent.

O, that the sacred influence of truth

Which we profess may ever dwell within;

That we may bear the yoke now in our youth,

And always flee the devious paths of sin.

O, that the Holy Book which does contain

The greatest charter our kind God can grant,

May prove to be like precious heavenly rain

To nourish, strengthen, and keep us from want.

Then, hand in hand in unity and love,

In holiness we'll walk before our God,

And have affections fixed on things above,

Our feet with “gospel preparation shod.”

And thus may we hold on Life's journey through;

Nor e'er forsake pure Wisdom's sacred path.

Still as we journey always keep in view

Those glorious things “the righteous nation” hath.

In sure and certain prospect, far beyond

In point of worth this world and all its toys,

Treasure in heaven, beside the blissful sound

Of Jesus’ voice, with sweetest heavenly joys.

And may our children all likewise receive

The richest dews of heavenly blessing now.

O, may the Lord make each of them believe

The gospel pure, and to its teachings bow.

And then indeed should we be called to part

While in this world, we all shall meet above,

Where we with every power and all our heart

Will praise the Saviour's name and sing his love.

O, blest, blest thought! through vast Eternity

In purest bliss and holiness to dwell.

There our glad eyes shall Jesus ever see,

And hear the Saints his greatest wonders tell.