Jane Frances Russell Firth: A Memory

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Privately printed, 1885 - 119 pages
 

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Page 78 - Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Will the day's journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend. But is there for the night a resting-place? A roof for when the slow dark hours begin. May not the darkness hide it from my face? You cannot miss that inn.
Page 117 - Birds in the bower, and lambs in the green field, Could they have known her, would have loved; methought Her very presence such a sweetness breathed, That flowers, and trees, and even the silent hills, And everything she looked on, should have had An intimation how she bore herself Towards them and to all creatures. God delights In such a being; for, her common thoughts Are piety, her life is gratitude.
Page 93 - Thy works, and alms, and all thy good endeavour, Stayed not behind, nor in the grave were trod; But, as Faith pointed with her golden rod, Followed thee up to joy and bliss for ever.
Page 107 - The heavens, whose aspect makes our minds as still As they themselves appear to be, -.,' Innumerable voices fill With everlasting harmony ; The towering headlands, crowned with mist, Their feet among the billows, know That Ocean is a mighty harmonist ; Thy pinions, universal Air, Ever waving to and fro, Are delegates of harmony, and bear Strains that support the Seasons in their round ; Stern Winter loves a dirge-like sound.
Page 77 - Amid the Muses, left thee deaf and dumb. Amid the gladiators, halt and numb." As the bird trims her to the gale, I trim myself to the storm of time, I man the rudder, reef the sail, Obey the voice at eve obeyed at prime : " Lowly faithful, banish fear, Right onward drive unarmed; The port, well worth the cruise, is near, And every wave is charmed.
Page 96 - Still o'er these scenes my memory wakes, And fondly broods with miser care ; Time but the impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.
Page 118 - Blessing she is: God made her so, And deeds of week-day holiness Fall from her noiseless as the snow, Nor hath she ever chanced to know That aught were easier than to bless.
Page 94 - The chamber where the good man meets his fate Is privileged beyond the common walk Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of Heaven.
Page 55 - Ever too heedless, as I now perceive : Morn into noon did pass, noon into eve, And the old day was welcome as the young, As welcome, and as beautiful, — in sooth More beautiful, as being a thing more holy : Thanks to thy virtues, to the eternal youth Of all thy goodness, never melancholy ; To thy large heart and humble mind, that cast Into one vision future, present, past.
Page 93 - Followed thee up to joy and bliss for ever. Love led them on ; and Faith, who knew them best Thy handmaids, clad them o'er with purple beams And azure wings, that up they flew so drest, And...

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