The pleasures of earth and heaven too,
Are due to the good, the wise and true,
Then rejoice, my heart, the way is clear,
To a life of love and right good cheer,
Be happy! be happy, my soul!
DEAR ROLLA.
Verses on the death of a child about three years old, written to comfort his parents.
Dear Rolla, tho gone, is just gone on before,
To welcome you home to a happier shore;
The time will soon come when you, too, will away
For the home of the Lord with Rolla to stay.
Christ loves little children and calls them away
To keep their sweet charms for a happier day,
Like the flowers you plant to adorn and bloom,
He has gone to sweeten your heavenly home.
By Christ he was called, by God he was given,
You gain by the loss an interest in heaven,
Your hearts now are broken, your reason most wild,
So deep is your grief o’er the loss of your child.
In God, your kind Father, rest hope and belief,
And He in His mercy will bring you relief,
Have faith in His power, believe in His love,
And He’ll lead you in safety to heaven above,
Where Rolla’s charming voice so sweet and so true,
Is calling, “Pa and ma, I’m waiting for you.”