Poems (Holmes)/Lines to a Sister on the Loss of a Child

by Alice Ann Holmes

Lines addressed to a Sister,

On the loss of a child.

Mourn not, sister, for thine infant,
 Whose form we've laid in yonder tomb;
For now with Christ, in Paradise,
 His spirit will for ever bloom.
There, like a tender flower transplanted,
 His infant beauty shall increase
In that unchanging spring above,
 Where all is happiness and peace.

Mourn not, sister, oh, so deeply,
 But to thy Maker's will submit,
Who in love doth now correct thee,
 And who will kindly bless thee yet.
Let the Saviour's words support thee,
 In this sad and trying hour;
Since to realms of life and glory,
 He has called thy cherished flower.

Mourn not, sister; God is gracious;
 He doth thy deep anguish know;
In His mercy, He'll support thee,
 If to Him thou'lt trusting go.
Oh, from thy sadness then awake thee,
 And with Israel's Psalmist trust;
Thou mayst meet thy sainted infant,
 In yon bright regions of the just.