Part 9 (1/2)

LIFE'S CHANGES.

A fair young girl was to the altar led By him she loved, the chosen of her heart; And words of solemn import there were said, And mutual vows were pledged till death should part.

But life was young, and death a great way off, At least it seemed so then, on that bright morn; And they no doubt, expected years of bliss, And in their path the rose without a thorn.

Cherished from infancy with tenderest care, A precious only daughter was the bride; And when that young protector's arm she took, She for the first time left her parents' side.

With all a woman's tender, trustful heart, She gave herself away to him she loved; Why should she not, was he not all her own, A choice by friends and parents too approved?

How rapidly with him the days now fly, With _him_ the partner of her future life; Happy and joyous as a child she'd been, Happy as daughter, _happier still as wife_.

But ere eight months in quick succession pa.s.sed, One to each human heart a dreaded foe, Entered her house, and by a single stroke, Blasted her hopes, and laid her idol low.

Three months of bitter anguish was endured, But hope again revived, and she was blest, When pressing to her heart a darling child, Whose little head she pillowed on her breast.

Not long is she permitted to enjoy, This sweetest bud of promise to her given; Short as an angel's visit was its stay, When G.o.d, who gave it, took it up to heaven.

Ah, what a contrast one short year presents!

Replete with happiness--replete with woe; In that brief s.p.a.ce, a maiden called, and wife, Widow and mother written--childless too.

Surely my friend, I need not say to thee, Look not to earth for what it can't bestow; 'Tis at the best a frail and brittle reed, Which trusting for support, will pierce thee through.

Then let us look above this fleeting earth, To heaven and heavenly joys direct our eyes; No lasting happiness this world affords-- ”He builds too low who builds below the skies.”

Weston, Dec. 1, 1852.

LINES.

”They will not frame their doings to turn unto their G.o.d.

Hosea, 5:4.”

I would frame all my doings to please thee, my G.o.d!

'Tis from thee all my mercies proceed; I would frame all my doings to serve thee, my G.o.d!

For thy service is freedom indeed.

I would frame all my doings to please thee, my G.o.d!

But how feeble my best efforts are; Ah! how needful for me is thy chastening rod, And a proof of thy fatherly care.

I would frame all my doings to serve thee, my G.o.d!

But my goodness extends not to thee; And when on well doing I'm fully intent, Alas! evil is present with me.