Farewell.

Before me place, in dread array,
The pomp of that tremendous day,
When Thou with clouds shalt come
To judge the nations at Thy bar;
And tell me, Lord, shall I be there,
To meet a joyful doom?

Be this my one great business here,
With serious industry and fear,
Eternal bliss to ensure;
Thine utmost counsel to fulfil,
And suffer all Thy righteous will,
And to the end endure.

Then, Saviour, then my soul receive,
Transported from this vale, to live
And reign with Thee above;
Where faith is sweetly lost in sight,
And hope in full supreme delight,
And everlasting love."

397

We must now separate, my kind and patient reader, you to take upon yourself the responsibility of having heard again and again the offer made to you from God's Word of pardon, sanctification, and eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, and I to render an account of what I have written. We shall meet again. May it be in heaven!

As I take a parting glance at these pages I say from my heart

"Go forth, O book! baptized with tears;
Tremble no more with modest fears;

With love thou shalt be blest.

If any greet thee with disdain,
Suffer, but not parade thy pain,
And meekly do thy best.

O book! if any show thee slight,
Thou knowest with pain and with delight
Thou of the heart wast born;

Hast in thee life of shade and shower,

Of sunny and of starry hour,

Of evening and of dawn.

398

Last Words.

A little while and he who writes,
With silent voice and pen laid down,
In quiet earth shall lie.

Inspiring Saviour, unto Thee
My work I give in fealty,-

Thy life I have, and seek:
Accept this sacrifice, O Lord;
Weak am I,-but if therefore strong,
O keep me ever weak!"

One more word, and I have done. I hope I have not written a line in these pages that shall leave a stain behind, or shall be a matter of regret in my last hours. I have put my pen through many a passage which, though true, too true, might nevertheless lead many a youth to do what I would fain have him avoid. And, finally, let me remind all who have glanced over these brief reminiscences of my chequered and eventful life, that—

"We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.

We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives
Who thinks most-feels the noblest-ACTS THE BEST."