The meaning of this seems to be, that, as the angels and men are constituted in wonderful order, the first of those mighty circles whose joy and delight is in obeisance, are the Beings who cast their crowns before the Throne, and fall down in adoration; while our little ones' joyous greetings to their spiritual pastors and masters, may be their first training for their eternal ecstasy of worship. Thy wrath she never can incur, Thou hast received and rescued her, Her head in 'steadfast faith' she laid Awhile upon my breast; Awhile in 'joyful hope' she played, She gave her little love about, She danced about upon our waves III. Almighty and immortal God, Thou art the life of them that live, Also of them that die; My little child to Thee I give, No dearer gift have I. I asked, O Lord, and had from Thee; I seek, and yet I cannot find Her voice so glad and clear; I do not think my love was blind, She knocked with soft and tiny hand We saw, but did not understand, Thou didst not make her wait. IV. Two words among the words of Christ They sparkle out like amethyst And seem to slake my burning thirst To see my baby's face, And hold her as I held her first, "When to your arms a child is sent, I come, as in a sacrament, To shew you things of Heaven.' 'Suffer your little children dear These words of comfort are well tried, The other for the grave. V. I prayed that God would take my child, And bring her, pure and undefiled, I thought how safe she would be there, I took upon me many a vow I pictured how my little child Would grow in love and grace; Death looked upon me very mild, And covered up her face. VI. In passing to eternal life "Of the first Adam write me down, Her name was written with a smile, The second time her name was writ Her rapt sweet face lay under it, VIII. We yield Thee hearty thanks, O Thou For these our Infants, gathered now Thou hast received them for Thine own, They died with Christ, the holy Son, At once to death and sin; They in the haven safely ride, While we are out at sea; We in the storm, with pallid lips, IX. Dear mothers, by our little graves All in the morning watch He came, Yet even in that cold dark hour, And through that nameless chill, He held us with His soothing power, And whispered, Peace, be still. Beside that glory of repose We had no will to weep; Not one of us, we know, God knows, |