(Luke 8:52.)

" But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are ASLEEP, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which SLEEP IN JESUS will GOD bring with Him."-1 Thess. 4:13, 14.

Oh, call it not death-it is life begun,
For the waters are passed, the home is won ;
The ransomed spirit hath reached the shore
Where they weep, and suffer, and sin no more.
She is safe in her Father's house above,
In the place prepared by her Saviour's love:
To depart from a world of sin and strife,
And to be with Jesus-yes, this is life.

Oh, call it not death- -'tis a holy sleep;
For the precious dust the Lord doth keep.
She shall wake again – and how satisfied !
With the likeness of Him, for her who died.
As He rose again, she shall also rise
From the quiet bed where now safe she lies :
Then cheer ye, fond mourners, who sadly weep,
For happy are they who in Jesus sleep.

Oh, call it not death – 'tis a glorious rest;
"Yea, saith the Spirit," for all such are blest;
"They rest from their labors," their work is done,
The goal is attained, the weary race run ;
The battle is fought, the struggle is o'er,
The crown now replaces the cross they bore ;
The pilgrimage path shall no more be trod, "
And rest remains to the people of GOD."

Oh, call it not death – it is true, indeed,
The soul from the shackles of earth is freed ;
'Tis true that dissolved is the house of clay,
And the spirit unchained hath passed away.
'Tis true too the loved one hath gone before,
The home how darkened, that knows her no more!
He chides not your grief, for Jesus too wept,
O'er the grave where His friend, a Lazarus, slept.

But call it not death – a few short days o'er,
Ye shall meet her in glory, to part no more;
What a "blessed hope," lo, Christ shall appear
For " the restitution of all things " here ;
Then (if not till then), you will see her again,
When brought by the Lord with His glorious train,
Those " sleeping in Jesus" shall be restored,
And so shall we ever be with the LORD.

E. E. H.

" Wherefore comfort one another with these words."