OLD MAIDS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 213, 30 July 1887, Page 3

OLD MAIDS.

You pity tlio poor "old maids," you say, My thoughtless darling, with locks of gold, You hope you never will see the day When you shall be in their ranks enrolled. Nay, hear one moment before you jest ; When you shall have reached life's evening shades, You will know that the loveliest lives and best Have often been lived by obscure "old maids." True it is she has missed life's crown, Or what seems so to our vision dim ; But w hy God willed she should lay it down He knows— what is often but known to Him. She had her dreams, be you very sure, As sweet as yourd in your blooming spring ; If her buds of promise did not endure Ou earth, 3ou know not what Heav'n may bring. It may bo she wais for a meeting there With one, home-gathered, whoso soul she knew To be worthy tho waiting, how long so e'er. And so she will ever to him be true. It may be he left her, feeling soon A v anner love for a fairer face, And sho lost her lover in life's brierht noon, And proudly hid of her grief each trace. It may be, else, that she found his heart JSeat not a« hois, to a heavenly chime, And though it was bitter thus to part, She prajs that tho parting be but for time. In tho Bettor Land, when they meet once mote His soul may answer her yearning then, For now he dwells on a distant shore, And they meet no more in the haunts of men. What matter? She loves her Saviour more, And so, though lonely at times, and sad, She lives nor life in His service o'er, And thanks Him still for tho joy she had. She welcomes tho Sundays that Ho sends And strives each sorrowful sigh to still ; I think she is one of His dear friends, For in all things sho tries to do His will. Then never, my darling, dare again To speak in scorn of a " poor old maid," And if you should sutler their loss and pain Still God is your Father ; be not afraid. INDA.