To smile and listen while it talks, And can a mother's love grow cold? Nor weep for grief-for joy? Ten thousand voices answer, "No!" The infant rear'd alone for earth, A parent's heart may prove a snare; Her hand may lead with gentlest care Blest infant!- whom his mother taught Early to seek the Lord! And pour'd upon his dawning thought The day-spring of the word; This was the lesson to her son- Behold that mother's love! Blest mother!-who, in wisdom's path, Thus taught her son to flee the wrath, Ah, youth, like him, enjoy your prime, Taught by that mother's love. That mother's love! how sweet the name ! What was that mother's love? The noblest, purest, tenderest flame Within a heart of earthly mould, This was that mother's love. A FATHER'S LOVE. Sames Montgomery. A FATHER's love!-oh, yes, there is A child's-a brother's-sister's-this Nor all their bosoms' warmest glow, Oh, knows he not a thousand cares, Ere the dear pledge the mother bears And then he presses to his breast The form the mother hath caress'd- And as upon the mother's heart, What pride his manly bosom moves And when the prattling infant speaks Some tender word is the reply, How blest his thoughts when on his knee The little scholar learns! He fancies what the man shall be, And sparks of mind discerns: Those sparks set all his soul on flame, Their cause there scarce is need to name This is a father's love. Behold the boy through childhood speed, Such is a father's love. He bears his name in all his prayers, If ever he doth pray ; Nor rids him of paternal cares In life's declining day. A thousand friends have flitted past, Their smiles decay, but his shall last— God, who is LOVE, his love displays Το prove 'tis not a transient blaze, But ever glowing flame: And here earth's loves all fade away, Like twinkling stars in heaven's bright dayThis is a father's love. That father, taught by heavenly truth, "God, be my father, guide my youth, Nor leave my steps to stray; That father shall be blest indeed, In having an immortal seed This is a father's love. A father's love !-Oh, yes, there is To watch his child—to press-to kiss- As that which doth divinely glow, "THAT YE SORROW NOT AS OTHERS WHICH HAVE NO HOPE." Beber. THOU art gone to the grave! but we will not deplore thee, Though sorrows and darkness encompass the tomb : The Saviour has pass'd through its portal before thee, And the lamp of his love is thy guide through the gloom. Thou art gone to the grave! we no longer behold thee, Nor tread the rough path of the world by thy side; But the wide arms of Mercy are spread to enfold thee, And sinners may hope, since the Sinless has died. Thou art gone to the grave! and, its mansion forsaking, Perhaps thy weak spirit in fear linger'd long : But the sunshine of Paradise beam'd on thy waking, And the sound which thou heard'st was the seraphim's song. |