Classic Poem

TO HER PARENTS .

I T is more than a year since you missed her,
The youngest, the fairest, the best;
Since you folded her small hands and kissed her,
And laid her away to her rest.

Yet often, when evening is closing,
You turn with the old, loving care,
To the little ones sweetly reposing,
Still hoping to find Nettie there.

But Nettie, so daintily molded,
With eyes full of marvelous light,
Wee hands, like twin lilies half folded,
And little feet dimpled and white,

With her winsome and delicate graces,
The darling pet lamb of the fold,
Is far from love's tender embraces,
Alone in the night and the cold.

Alone? Nay, aloft with the angels,
To whom life eternal is given;
At home with God's blessed evangels;
At home with her kindred in Heaven.

They lead her beside the bright river,
Through groves yielding manna and balm;
Where the white-robed redeemed sing forever,
Hallelujah to God and the Lamb.

And there, in the light and the glory
That falls from the crystalline throne,
They tell her the wonderful story
Of Jesus, the crucified One.

And how He was born of a woman,
A child full of wisdom and grace,
A man very God, very human,
Who died to redeem a lost race.

How He loved little ones, and caressed them,
While here on this earth He abode,
And said, as He tenderly blessed them:
" Of such is the kingdom of God. "

And Nettie, the wee, baby daughter,
That left you a few months ago,
Through lessons the angels have taught her,
Knows more than the wisest below.

Knows more than the old Grecian sages,
Who plodded and toiled from their youth,
Through Nature's illustrated pages,
To find but the semblance of truth.

Knows more than the humble believer,
Who walks by the light God has given,
Of the joy that increases forever —
Of the wonders and glories of Heaven.

Then grieve not that Nettie was taken,
Ere sin marred her soul with a stain;
You will meet her again when you waken
Beyond earthly sorrow and pain.