2 If we to-day sweet peace possess, It soon may be withdrawn; Some change may plunge us in distress Before to-morrow's dawn. 3 Disease and pain invade our health, And find an easy prey; And oft, when least expected, wealth Takes wings and flies away. 4 The gourds from which we look for fruit. Produce us often pain; A worm unseen attacks the root, And all our hopes are vain. 5 Since sin has filled the earth with woe, And creatures fade and die; Lord, wean our hearts from things below, And fix our hopes on high! 528. S. M. Doddridge. "The Fathers, where are they?" 1 How swift the torrent rolls, That bears us to the sea! The tide that bears our thoughtless souls To vast eternity! 2 Our fathers, where are they, With all they called their own? Their joys, and griefs, and hopes and cares, And wealth and honor gone. 3 God of our fathers, hear, Thou everlasting Friend! While we, as on life's utmost verge, Our souls to thee commend. 4 Of all the pious dead May we the footsteps trace, Till with them, in the land of light, We dwell before thy face. 529. L. M. J. Roscoe. The Close of Life. 1 My Father! when around me spread I see the shadows of the tomb, And life's bright visions droop and fade, And darkness veils my future doom; 2 O, in that anguished hour I turn With a still trusting heart to thee, And holy thoughts still shine and burn Amid that cold, sad destiny. 3 The stars of heaven are shining on, Though these frail eyes are dim with tears; The hopes of earth indeed are gone; But are not ours the immortal years? 4 Father! forgive the heart that clings Thus trembling to the joys of time; And bid my soul on angel wings Ascend into a purer clime. 530. L. M. Doddridge. To God pertain the issues of Life and Death. 1 Sovereign of life! before thine eye, Lo! mortal men by thousands die: One glance from thee at once brings down The proudest brow that wears a crown. 2 Banished at once from human sight To the dark grave's mysterious night, Imprisoned in that dusty bed, We hide our solitary head. 3 Yet if my Father's faithful hand Conduct me through this gloomy land, My soul with pleasure shall obey, And follow where he leads the way. 4 The friendly band again shall meet, Again exchange the welcome sweet; The dear familiar features trace, And still renew the fond embrace. 531. C. M. Heber. Universal Warning of Death. 1 Beneath our feet and o'er our head Is equal warning given: Beneath us lie the countless dead, Above us is the heaven!