p. 406 | The Home Circle by Rev. Edward D. Eaton

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 6, 1883

The Home Circle.

By Rev. Edward D. Eaton

FATHER AND CHILD.

Some trifling loss or wounding slight Had grieved a little maid at play, With heaving breast and clouded sight She tries to wipe her tears away.

Still o'er the lashes slip the pearls, And sighs the shadowed heart betray, Till sudden purpose shakes the curls— "Papa must 'ipe my tears a'ay."

A hasty flight to papa's side, By papa's chair the footsteps stay, An upturned face with cheeks undried— "P'ease, papa, 'ipe my tears a'ay."

Then quiet sunshine fills the eyes, And smiles all o'er the sweet face stray; Back to her baby sport she flies— "Papa has 'iped my tears a'ay."

We smile at children, but erelong Some sorrow in our heart has sway. We think that years have made us strong, And brush the scalding tears away.

But quiv'ring nerves will not be still; We cannot calm the soul's dismay; And struggle bravely as we will, We cannot wipe our tears away.

Then swiftly speaks the heart's appeal; The shaken soul finds strength to pray; Before our Father's throne we kneel— "Father, wipe thou our tears away."

Oh, tender touch of God's right hand! Oh, peace of God that comes to stay! Safe in his sheltering love we stand; Our Father wipes our tears away.

—Rev. Edward D. Eaton, in Advance.