WHEN the old year came he was welcomed with cheer—
He gave us no warning of trials to fear;
We shook his hand warmly and deemed him a friend;
The present was hopeful—we saw not the end.
In some of our homes there's a vacancy now—
The chilling death frost set its seal on the brow
Of the loved ones we cherished and hoped would abide,
But the old year has seen them removed from our side.
Many sweet buds of infancy, childhood, and youth—
Might it be but a dream, but alas it is truth—
Within the past year have been plucked from the stem;
No more will our homes be made joyful by them.
We parted in anguish. Death bore them away,
But through the dark valley beams one gentle ray;
Jehovah has caused it to shine through the tomb—
"Thy dead men shall live." This hope brightens the gloom.
Write, "Blest are the dead who have died in the Lord;"
This comfort we read from the unfailing word.
Their labors are ended—they now are at rest—
Their works follow after—their memory's blest.
It was not all sorrow. The old year conferred
Many blessings and joys, and our hearts should be stirred
By grateful emotions, and praise should ascend
To our Almighty Father and Bountiful Friend,
The acts we regret must unaltered remain,
For we cannot live over our past lives again;
If we wish in the future improvement to see,
Then better improved let our present time be.
The present is ours, but how brief is its stay—
'Tis with us a moment, then goes on its way;
The new year has secrets we may not unfold;
By the present its leaves will be daily unrolled.
How can we the present sufficiently prize?
Yet how little value it has in our eyes!
Boast not of to-morrow—it may not be thine;
The present is all I can label as mine.
We wish for each other a "happy new year!"
We hope it may bring us abundant good cheer;
Would we a clear conscience secure as our friend,
Then let us do right from beginning to end.
—Mrs. P. A. G. Sherman in Bible Banner.