THE VACANT PLACES by Sel.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 29, 1879

THE VACANT PLACES.

By Sel.

How much soever, in this life's mutations, We seek our shattered idols to replace, Not one in all the myriads of the nations Can ever fill another's vacant place.

Each has his own, the smallest and most humble, As well as he revered the wide world through; With every death some loves and hopes must crumble, Which never strive to build themselves anew.

If the fair race of violets should perish Before another spring-time had its birth, Could all the costly blooms which florists cherish Bring back its April beauty to the earth?

Not the most gorgeous flower that uncloses Could give the golden grace to vale and plain; Not even Persia's garden full of roses, Could ever make the world so fair again.

And so with souls we love, they pass and leave us— Time teaches patience at a bitter cost; Yet all the new loves, which the years may give us, Fill not the heart-place aching for the lost.

New friends may come, with spirits even rarer, And kindle once again the tear-drowned flame; But yet we sigh, “This love is stronger, fairer, And better—it may be—but not the same!” —Sel.