A MOTHER'S GRIEF by Mrs. Wm. Jones

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1876

A MOTHER'S GRIEF.

By Mrs. Wm. Jones

[Respectfully dedicated to my friends, Richard and Adlai Jewson, whose little Geo. met a sudden and terrible death in the town of Friendship, Wis., Oct. 27, 1875.]

A few soiled play-things, and a lock of hair, The little cap, and things he used to wear, A few sweet words, and smiles,—but oh! how dear; Is all that's left me of my darling here.

A sunny morn, a childish face upraised, With smiling eyes, and curls I oft have praised. Tossed back neath cap; all dressed for school. My Georgie stood; I kissed him, Oh! my soul! Can mother's heart look back upon that hour? I watched my darling go, and thought no more, Nor ever dreamed I that a fell and awful blow Ere long would rend my heart—so low! so low!

They brought him home, all crushed and bleeding— DEAD! 'Twas all an accident and none to blame, they said. I know it. But could not God have saved me this? Or spared my boy alive just for one kiss? May God forgive me, 'tis my darling that is gone, Perchance for this, my suffering must be borne.

Dear mother, weeping o'er thy darling's form Comes there no angel's voice to soothe thee and to warn? To tell thee of one blossom God has kindly left While some sad mothers, of their all bereft, Wait, gazing up to Heaven with wistful pleading eyes, But still do trust Him who doth rule the skies?

'Tis but a little while, and Christ, the just, shall raise His children from the dust, to joy and praise. Sorrow not, dear mother, without hope or trust; Thy child is safe with Judge so kind and just. “Asleep in Jesus”?—Oh! sweet, blessed sleep, From which none ever, ever wake to weep. Let this bright hope thy future life-path mould, And draw thee safe, at last, within the fold; And Georgie's chubby hands thine own shall clasp— Just as in life so shall he rise at last, Your own dear boy—no phantom form of air— As Christ our Saviour rose, so shall we, too, appear. Oh, blessed hope! Oh, faith be firm and sure! Built on the Rock of Ages thou shalt endure.

Mrs. Wm. Jones.