Like a star, whose beams are brighter When skies are dark above, So shines, in night of sorrow, The light of God’s great love. We may not see its lustre, While heads are bowed in prayer, But looking just above us We find its glories there. Our tears may dim the vision And we may question why; But some day He will answer Where souls shall never die. Above the gathering shadows, Beyond the gloom of years, God’s star will shine forever, Undimmed by Sorrow’s tears. Some day, when He shall lead us To our eternal rest, We’ll know life’s hidden meaning And we shall say: “’Twas best.” RELEASE. Fear not to die, but rather fear to live, For death is not so grave a thing as life; The soul that God to mortal man did give Shall some day be exempt from earthly strife, And from its narrow prison cell at last It shall go forth the glorious light to see, When chains are loosened, which now hold it fast, By Death, the warden, who shall set it free; And it shall live thro’ all the days and years To know the peace of sunny Paradise, No more to be the slave of doubts and fears, Nor suffer failure when escape it tries. Earth’s blossoms die, but from the falling seeds Shall live again the pure and treasured flowers; And thus we die, but loving words and deeds Shall be immortal like this soul of ours. EASTER. [To M. M. M.] ’Twas Easter evening and the church Was filled with a waiting throng, To listen to Easter Service With its flowers, its light and song. The organist, by the altar, Touched the pretty ivory keys And sent, thro’ the house of worship The sweetest of melodies. Just as the notes were ceasing, And the people arose for prayer, A little maid came softly in And seated herself by the stair. The service was just beginning, She had never entered before; But while passing had heard the music And seen bright lights from the door;— So she thought: “I’ll look in a moment, To see what it all is about,— And perhaps—if I steal in softly That no one will find it out.” She saw all the people standing With heads bowed down in the light, And she heard the words: “Our Father, Bless this service here to-night.” When the good man ceased his speaking And each one had taken seat, Again the notes from the organ Thro’ the stillness sounded sweet. A little girl came to the altar,— “No older than I am”—she thought; She was dressed in snowy whiteness, In her hands sweet flowers she brought. She spoke of the Christ—our Saviour, In her pretty childish way; She said: “The Lord is risen And he walks with men to-day.”