The following lines by Maltbie D. Babcock were read by him just before
sailing abroad on the voyage from which he never returned:
Why be afraid of death as tho your life were breath?
Death but anoints your eyes with clay. O, glad surprize!
Why should you be forlorn? Death only husks the corn.
Why should you fear to meet the Thresher of the wheat?
Is sleep a thing to dread? Yet sleeping you are dead
Till you awake and rise, here, or beyond the skies.
Why should it be a wrench to leave your wooden bench?
Why not with happy shout run home when school is out?
The dear ones left behind--O foolish one and blind.
A day, and you will meet--a night, and you will greet.
This is the death of death, to breathe away a breath
And know the end of strife, and taste the deathless life,
And joy without a fear, and smile without a tear,
And work, nor care to rest, and find the last the best.
(691)
=Death-rate Reduced=--See IMPROVED CONDITIONS.
=Death, Religion in=--See RELIGION TO DIE BY.