DEATH'S BLUNDER | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1880

DEATH'S BLUNDER.

THE carven doors were open, The sexton tolled the bell, And the light from Gothic windows Like shattered rainbows fell— As through the perch of a splendid church Crept little beggar Nell.

Low shrinking in the shadows Beside the pulpit-stair, She saw a little casket Brought to the house of prayer, And a sorrowing band of the rich and grand Gather in silence there.

She heard the mournful music; She heard the preacher say:— "The Lord, who gave your treasure, Hath taken her away. Be sure, my friends, for the wisest ends God worketh. Let us pray."

A ragged child stole forward, While every head was bowed; Through fragrant, snow-white flowers She saw a snow-white shroud, And golden hair, and a face most fair— And she knelt and wept aloud.

Forth from among the mourners Came the father of the dead. He raised the little beggar, And, wonderingly, said:— "What strange child weeps for her who sleeps With lilies round her head?"

"Why, Death has made a blunder; 'Twas me God meant!" she cried. "I asked Him, for there's no one To grieve, if I had died; And there seems to be no room for me— Though they say the world is wide."

"Nay, Death had made no blunder; God means my heart shall be Made sore enough by sorrow To feel for one like thee. It is his will that thou should'st fill Her place, child. Come with me."

Now many friendless orphans By him are clothed and fed; In soothing others' sorrow His own is comforted. And Christ the Lord, as his reward, Shall yet give back his dead.

—Congregationalist.