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easter thoughts.
Easter Thoughts.
What thoughts, what memories
Surge through our hearts to-day;
And burning tears bedim our eyes
E'en as we kneel to pray!
Surge through our hearts to-day;
And burning tears bedim our eyes
E'en as we kneel to pray!
Thoughts of those vacant places
No other forms can fill;
And memories of loved faces
Linger with us still.
No other forms can fill;
And memories of loved faces
Linger with us still.
Almost, it seems we hear
Those loving tones once more;
For memory retains so clear
Voices we loved of yore.
Those loving tones once more;
For memory retains so clear
Voices we loved of yore.
But oh! what peace is theirs
In that sweet Home of Rest,
Beyond life's frets and cares,
No more by pain oppressed.
In that sweet Home of Rest,
Beyond life's frets and cares,
No more by pain oppressed.
For them to die was gain;
And though we mourn their loss,
Faith, triumphing o'er grief and pain,
Lightens our heavy cross:
And though we mourn their loss,
Faith, triumphing o'er grief and pain,
Lightens our heavy cross:
And by its light our tearful eyes
See far beyond the tomb,
To where the gates of Paradise
Gleam golden through the gloom.
See far beyond the tomb,
To where the gates of Paradise
Gleam golden through the gloom.
Safe with their "Risen Lord" we see
Our dead—hark! how they sing,
"O grave! where is thy victory?
O death! where is thy sting?"
Our dead—hark! how they sing,
"O grave! where is thy victory?
O death! where is thy sting?"
