250. She was conscientious in the discharge of all the duties belonging to her station in life, and faithfully devoted to the interests of her master and mistress, from affection as well as from religious principle. 251. We firmly trust, though here her dust Her spirit bless'd, in peace and rest, 252. How vain are all worldly pursuits, when placed in competition with the salvation of the soul! 253. Though many a widow mourns the spirit fled, The blazon'd banner, and the bust may swell The passing stranger where a good man lies. 254. As much as mortal mould could e'er assume Of heavenly form and fashion in the tomb 255. He was a simple man, and simple shall be his epitaph. Bent down with a weight of years, his heart was strong, for he read his Bible, and believed the promises it contains. In hope of a joyful resurrection through his Saviour he died; and with the same hope we have here committed his body to the dust. 256. In all the changes of thy life, O give thine earliest youth to God; 257. When thoughts of sin and grace are given, 258. When thunders are rolling, when lightnings are hurl'd, And the blasts of destruction arise, He calmly may smile at the storms of the world Whose treasures are safe in the skies. 259. Ripen'd harvest! which the Lord 260. We know that this perishable memorial will only keep alive his memory for a few fleeting years; but we believe that when his name shall be forgotten by sinners on earth, it will be remembered by his Saviour in heaven. 261. And art thou gone? In hurried haste To Him thy spirit I commend Ere long thy now unconscious heart, 262. Not for the dead these graven stones: 263. Grim Death surpris'd him all alone, 264. The man who moulders here beneath the sod Found in them hope, and peace, and heavenly rest: They taught him humbling truths-himself to know In doubt, and fear, and trouble, where to go— Though in this grave his dust a season be, 265. Few are there with a frame so strong; 266. No estimate can reach the value of an immortal soul: none, therefore, can tell what he has achieved who has "turned a sinner from the error of his ways, and saved a soul from death." |