Thoughts of Life by Lillian S. Connerly

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 4, 1915

Thoughts of Life

By Lillian S. Connerly

LILLIAN S. CONNERLY

We wake to life with rainbow hues ahead; Bright sunshine doth her radiant beauty shed; The birds sing songs of promise; and each day, Like fairy dreams of sweetness, flits away.

We bid them go, for morrows seem all fair; Sweet strains of music fill the scented air. We do not dream of happiness, ’tis ours; Nor love, for love enriches all our hours. Fame but awaits our coming, and her smile Beguiles our fancies while we wait, the while Sweet whispers of yet gladder, fairer days Fill all the thoughts and tune unconscious praise.

But time hastes onward, and the rainbow hues Fade gently, and the sunshine bright subdues. The birds trill now a softer, sadder lay, And fairy dreams no longer cares allay. We dream of happiness, but, lo, a cloud Enfolds us as a subtle funeral shroud.

We dream of love, but she eludes our grasp, And cold and lifeless is the form we clasp; We dream of fame, but every glory dies, Nor heeds the cold, proud world our tearful eyes.

Fond memory, never truant to our call, Brings back the past glad hopes and glories all; But from her casket, gemmed with dark and fair, We gain but fleeting comfort, and we dare

Once more to cast our weary eyes ahead To future fortunes where our feet must tread. But hope has fled, for earth is not our home; Surrounded by the host, we are alone.

’Tis then the inmost heart cries out for God. He never mocks his creatures of the sod, But kindly bids us come and find in him All that our poor hearts long for. All our sin

And woe he cleanses, offers us a place In highest heaven. Marvelous gift of grace!

O soul, tear earth’s illusions from thine eyes, And fix thine heart on heaven’s eternal prize.

Bocas del Toro, Panama.