They tell me too that roses, E'en in _my_ pathway lie; And decked in rich apparel, Attract the passers by. They say the sun when setting, Is glorious to behold; And sheds on all at parting, A radiant crown of gold. And then the night's pale empress, With all her glittering train, The vacant throne ascending, Resumes her peaceful reign. That she in queenly beauty, Subdued yet silvery light, Makes scarcely less enchanting Than day, the sober night. But sights like these so cheering, Alas, I cannot see! The daylight and the darkness Are both alike to me. Yet there's a world above us, So beautiful and fair, That nothing here can equal, And nought with it compare. There, in a blaze of glory, Amidst a countless throng, The Saviour smiles complacent, While listening to their song. Ten thousand times ten thousand, Their cheerful voices raise, While golden harps in harmony Are tuned to sound the praise Of Him the blest deliverer, Who conquered when he fell; The man of many sorrows, The _Great Immanuel_. But stop--I dare not venture Too far on holy ground; Its _heights_ are too exalted, Its _depths_ are too profound. Yet may I be permitted, When this brief life is past, The hope in yon bright heaven, To find my home at last. When cleansed from all pollution, From sin and sorrow free, I, with unclouded vision, My Saviour God may see. Brooklyn, May, 1853. TO MY MISSIONARY FRIENDS, MR. AND MRS. I.G. BLISS. Why, dear friends, oh! tell us wherefore You're so anxious to be gone; Is the country late adopted Dearer to you than your own? Have you found a father, mother, In that distant clime to love, Or a sister, friend, or brother, Better than the long-tried prove? "Oh, no! believe us, no such motives Prompt us to tempt old ocean's wave; We go among the poor benighted, Perhaps to find an early grave. "Ah! you know not half our anguish-- Only those who _feel_ can tell-- When we think of the sad parting, And that solemn word--farewell. "But while lingering, souls are dying, Souls that Jesus came to save; And of such a priceless value, That for them his life he gave. "Trials great no doubt await us In that distant home of ours; Work requiring so much labor, As to exceed our utmost powers. "But He who said 'Go preach the gospel,' All powerful is, to aid, defend; 'Lo I am with you always,' said he, 'And will be even to the end.' "With such command, and such a promise, Sure our path of duty's plain; Do not then, dear friends, persuade us Longer with _thee_ to remain." Go then, go! we'll not detain you, We dare not ask your longer stay; And may winds and waves of ocean, Waft you safely on your way. They who all forsake for Jesus, Father, mother, country, home, Here an hundred fold are promised, And eternal life to come. Go then, go! but when far distant, Bear us sometimes on your mind; When for others interceding, Forget not those you leave behind.