A gift book of stories and poems for children

Oh! why should children fear,
When sickness dims the eye,
To lie down in the grave,
And innocently die;
Since Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as they shall enter Heaven?

Then weep not, parents dear,
Because we go above,
We leave you here below,
To seek a tenderer love;
For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as we shall enter Heaven.

Sigh not o'er our pale brows,
Where death has set his seal;
Nor shrink at those chill hands,
That have not power to feel,

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For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as we shall enter Heaven.

Muse often on our graves,
But not in stern despair;
Celestial thoughts will spring
And teach kind lessons there;
And ask, if Christ his word has given
That parted friends shall enter Heaven.

Let our young playmates come,
And view the grassy mound,
And plant their early flowers
As if 'twere happy grounp;
For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as they shall enter Heaven.

Let old men wander here,
And with a natural sigh,
Think why we've reached our home
When they are lingering by;
And ask if Christ his word has given,
That their grey hairs shall enter Heaven.

And let the worldly come,
Pause on their busy way,

173

And while a transient tear,
Rolls o'er our lifeless clay,
Ask their own hearts, if Christ has given
His word, that they shall enter Heaven.

Let sinners come alone,
And bow down o'er our dust,
And crush each wicked thought,
And seek a better trust;
For Christ to them no hope has given
Except repentant, to his Heaven.

We pray that all may come
This solemn truth to see,
If dust to dust, then soul to soul
Must be the great decree.
Where can so bless'd a spot be given
To learn of God, and think of Heaven?

University of Virginia Library

“OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”