TO DIE AND LEAVE IT ALL.
By L. D. Santee
"For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14. THE breath of spring, the fragrance of the flowers,
The smile of summer with its light and gleam,
The music, in the passing golden hours,
And all that heart could wish, or fancy dream;
The friendship fond, this life's most sacred treasure,
The quick response, when loving voices call,
All things that make existence here a pleasure,
We die, and leave them all. The speech of autumn, with sweet memories
freighted,
The golden fruits that crown the lusty year,
The "Indian summer" with its haze belated,
And all the memories, the heart holds dear.
And all the joys, that make the life worth living,
The dreams that hold our being in their thrall,
The gifts of love, that find reward in giving,
We die, and leave them all. But ah! there is a life that lasts forever,
Rich with the glories of eternal years,
Where sorrow never comes, and death is never,
And no more wretchedness, and no more tears.
That life eternal to the saints is given,
Who answered to the Saviour's loving call,
They'll ne'er be called to leave the bliss of heaven,
To die, and leave it all.