FORWARD.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 299, 15 September 1888, Page 4

FORWARD.

Smiaix this hie ot mine be wasted ! Shiill tins vmejard ie untilled ? Shall true joy passbv unta«tcd. And this soul remain unfilled' ShaU t lie (iod-gnen hours be scattered. liike i lie loa\c;s> upou the plain ? the blossom riie unwatered By the dro))s of heavenly rain .' Shall 1 bee each lair sun wakinn \itcl nol feel it wakes for me .' Kach ulad morning brightly breaking. And uol feel il breaks 'or me .' I sp • I he loses blowing And not wish to bloom as (hey ! Molv fragrance round me throwing Luring olhm-3 on the way. si, all I hear the free biivl siiisinir In tho summer's stainless sky. Far aloft its triad flight ringing:. And not seek to soar as hißh ! Shall tins heart still spend its treasures On the tliing;g that fade and die .' "^hall it court the hollow pleasures Of bewitching vanity ! these lips oi mine bo idle ' Shall I open them in vain .' Shall T not, with God's o%a n bridle Their frivolities leatrain I Shall these eyes of mine still wander, Or, no longer turned afar, Fix a firmer c:aze and fonder On the bright and morning star ' rthall these feet of mine, delaying Still in waj s of sin. be found Braving snares, and madly straying On the world's bewitching ground ' No, I was not born toWfle Ijife awaj in dreams, or sin ! Xo. r must not, dare not stifle Longings such as these within ! Swiftly moving onward, upward. Lot my soul in faith be borne ! Calmly ga/insr. skyward, sunward Let my eye unshrinking turn ! Where the cross. God's love revealing. Set the fettered spirit free. Where it sheds its wondrous healing There, my soul, thy vest shall be. Then no longer idly dreaming Shall 1 fling my years away ; But,, each precious hour redeeming. Wait for the eternal day.

iiONAK.