We wept – 'twas Nature wept-but Faith
Can pierce beyond the gloom of death,
And in yon world so fair and bright
Behold thee in refulgent light!
We miss thee here, yet Faith would rather
Know thou art with thy Heavenly Father.
Nature sees the body dead,
Faith beholds the spirit fled;

Nature stops at Jordan's tide,
Faith beholds the other side;
That but hears farewell, and sighs,
This, thy welcome in the skies.
Nature mourns a cruel blow;
Faith assures it is not so.
Nature never sees thee more;
Faith but sees thee gone before.
Nature tells a dismal story;
Faith has visions full of glory.
Nature views the change with sadness;
Faith contemplates it with gladness.
Nature sorrows, Faith gives meekness-
" Strength is perfected in weakness."
Nature weeps, and dreads the rod;
Faith looks up and blesses god.
Sense looks downwards; Faith, above;
That sees harshness, this sees love. Oh! let
Faith victorious be, Let it reign triumphantly!
But thou art gone! not lost, but flown;
Shall I then ask thee back, my own ?
Back, and leave thy spirit's brightness ?
Back, and leave the robes of whiteness ?
Back, and leave the Lamb who feeds thee ?
Back, from founts to which He leads thee ?
Back, and leave thy Heavenly Father ?
Back to earth and sin? Nay, rather
Would I live in solitude!
I would not ask thee, if I could;
But patient wait the high decree
That calls my spirit home with thee!

Elizabeth Webb