O dear little one that my eyes never saw, Yet sprang to existence so near to my heart. Thou gatherest strength from each breath that I draw; Thus, of all I have precious, I give thee a part. Thus I nourished thee, darling, by day and by night, And in the strange burden I take a delight; Hoping in future that thou, in thy love, Wilt strengthen the feeble and guide them above. While my heart sends to thee its own bright, crimson tide, Freighted with sustenance, ruby and warm, I bear all thy sorrows, nor seek to divide, With my own hidden darling, the chill of the storm. Thus I shield thee, my loved one, by night and by day; For thee do I suffer and for thee do I pray. My heart hovers o’er the calm place of thy rest; I’m waiting to pillow thy head on my breast. O! may God keep thee from guile and from sin; May this voice of warning fall sweet on thine ear. May He give thee a heart to love cleanness within And all His commandments so priceless to hear. Thus may Christ keep thee, my darling, my child; Making thee humble and patient and mild; Tuning thy harp for the realms of the blest: O there meet me, darling, in Heaven to rest! I give thee to Jesus, my dear little one. To the kind Shepherd’s care I commit thee in love. May He clothe thee in truth that outshineth the sun, And lead thee by faith to the Mansions Above. Thus I hope for His blessing by day and by night, To let thee proclaim the great Gospel of Light, And strengthen thy heart to praise Christ and adore, When thy mother shall rest on the Heavenly Shore. OUR FIRST-BORN This little angel at my side, Just four days old, our God hath given, The little spirit newly fledged, Just from our Father’s hand in Heaven. Like a bright sunbeam thou art come, To cheer and bless our earthly home. No word ever fell from the dear little lips, So sweet and so ruby; so guileless and mute. God teach thee the language of love, my sweet babe: May glad songs of Jesus pour forth from thy lute. When fresh buds of thought are early unfolding, God give to thy heart the true, heavenly molding, And placing Christ’s image all glorious there, To shield in temptation and lead thee to prayer; In purity guide thee, sustained by His might; And crown thee at last in the City of Light, Where never to sin and to suffer and die, We’ll sing “Hallelujah” in Bowers on High. THE MOTHER’S THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH OF HER FIRST-BORN Where is darling baby gone? Where is my sweet, cherished boy, With his soft hands at the dawn Waking me in childish joy? Where are those blue, sparkling eyes, That were like stars of hope to me? The angels took him to the skies, To dwell, O God! to dwell with Thee.