Thoughts Redeemed, Or, Lays of Leisure Hours

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... Fitting emblems of man as the year wanes away, Are those blossoms that shrink from the touch of decay, As again they shall live at the breathing of spring; So shall Jesus yet captive captivity bring, His voice shall awaken the dead % $)nt)s Jtofatr. A Faded flower has charms for me, Though withered all its beauties be: In each pale tint of colour cast I read a record of the past, Of bygone hopes, of bygone fears, Of bygone joys, of bygone tears. Perchance this little sapless flower Was gathered in the springtide hour, When fancy's visions daily came To make reality seem tame; Bright images that must decay, False day-dreams that must pass away. Perhaps by one who now may be Far, far across the stormy sea, Who midst the busy scenes of life, Its disappointments and its strife, Looks back and fondly tries in vain To bring youth's freshness back again. He may remember still the hour When he could see in that fair flower A simple treasure wealth no more Can purchase from her ample store; Yet e'en the very thought comes round Like dew upon the parched ground. Or buried in the silent tomb May be the heart that loved its bloom; And o'er this wreck in sorrow deep, Some friend might linger here to weep, While cherished thoughts of other years Would mingle amid falling tears. On fancy's swift and wandering wings Come images of countless things, But over all this floweret tells Of smiles, of tears, of charmer's spells; Its tarnished hues convey to me A lesson of mortality SKrtsfling. 'I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.--Gen. xxxii. 26. The way is rough, the dangers many, Human weakness finds them so; Without a token of Thy presence, Lord, I will not let Thee go. Nothing else has power to cheer me, When my sinking heart oppressed Does...