"I can not feel that she is dead! her shadow passes by, In every form of grace that glides before my wakeful eye. And when I sleep, a vision bright across my fancy steals: The smile, the tone, the look of love, my early loss reveals. "Yet, mother, though thy child be dead, light through thy darkness streams, As on the ear a low voice falls, like music in our dreams, To soothe thy sadness, quell thy grief, and check thy tears, 'tis given, While thus it whispers 'I have found a better home in heaven.'" PREFACE. THIS little book which is now, through the solicitation of others, presented to the public, owes its existence to the repeated bereavements which have left the author childless. These strokes directed his attention to the investigation of, and reflection upon the subjects here presented. During the years he was in the school of affliction learning its lessons, he was learning for himself, without the least expectation of ever presenting his thoughts to the world. Afterwards it was thought that others might be interested, perhaps benefitted, by the meditations which had done his own heart so much good. No claim of originality is set up for the work; but it is due to candor to state that when the chapters were first written, the author had never seen a single work upon the subject, nor had he access to any libraries. That he arrived at the same conclusion with other writers upon the same subject, by the study of the Bible, may argue for the truth of the doctrine taught. Since then he has obtained all the works upon the subject he could; and cheerfully acknowledges the receipt of valuable suggestions from Rev. Drs. Russel and M‘Farlane of Scotland, and Rev. Drs. Smyth and Bethune of the United States-especially to "Why Weepest Thou?" The work is, to a good degree, the unfolding of the author's heart. This is his apology for the frequent use of the pronoun I, and his reason for withholding his name. With these remarks, he commits the work to the press. He humbly and fervently beseeches Almighty God to make it a blessing to the bereaved, and an instrument, through the grace of His Spirit, to the promotion of His glory. And to His great and holy name be the praise for evermore. |