A NEW YEAR’S EVE DREAM

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1716, 18 January 1905, Page 17

A NEW YEAR’S EVE DREAM

I. —DEATH’S VISION - . I stood upon a barren rock, Tlie angry sea was all around, The waves, a wild and crested flock, Rose and. fell with mournful sound. The sky—a threatening mass of cloud, Without one single star to break Night's defluous darkening shroud, No sign that day should ever wake. When lo ! there came a mighty gale, The crested billows angry rise, The rock beneath me seems to quail, The waves prepare to grasp their prize. But what that gentle voice I hear Arise above the hideous strife? Ah, ’tis some angel drawing near To guide me to eternal life. And as he makes his heavenward flight, I wearied sinking on his breast, He bears me to that Avorld of light. And I find peace and lasting rest. The rock and hungry raging sea, In murky gloom have disappeared, But the spirit lives ail fetter-free, Relieved from snares that once it feared. Men call me dead. Ah! me, is this The grave, which we, unknowing, dread ? •’Tis but a step from pain to bliss! At last my “Title clear” is read! lI.—A VOICE FROM ABOVE. Through the mist of many a tear. To the menta-l eye appear Visions of a happy clime, Far beyond the reach of time; Sorrow’s weight must disappear In this ever-happy sphere. Love eternal here abounds, Love unknown to earthly rounds. God is Love! and He must reign, Free of any earthly stain; And to Him we bow alone. In a bliss to you unknown. Could you undertand this love. That pervades me world above, Oh, how happy you would be l From all earthly trammels free. But : .n hope you cast your eye To the future, though not nigh f Siill the crown you may attain, And tli.-* battle you may gain. Though the present dark may b*

Far beyond the sky is free Of the clouds that, hover round; Best eternal here is f .und! Death itself you need not fear, For it only helps to clear, To eternal bliss, the way, Guides you to eternal day. In your earthly vale of care For the heaven you may prepare, Sowing love’s prolific seed, Showing love in evTy deed. 8 ep by step you thus advance, ‘Waking from your earthly trance; You will enter then our sphere, Be as blest as we are here. - —OH AS. MOLL WO Wellington, 31st Dec., 19J4.