Three years have fled since billows wild
Wrecked our domestic bark,
And chilled your love for husband, child,
Mid waters cold and dark.
"How wonderful the mystery,"
Astonished men exclaim,
"That hearts so knit in unity
Could ever part in twain!"
* * * * *
We suffered some adversities,
A portion all must find,
When compassed round by devotees
Whose creeds we'd left behind.
When pressing to the harvest-field
Of everlasting truth,
And just before the golden yield,
Alas! you turned aloof.
Oh, how I wish that you could share
In these ecstatic days,
Enjoy the light of God so pure,
And help to sing his praise!
My soul had longed for more of God,
More glory in the cross;
But never dreamed that it must come
Through such a bitter loss.
I can not chide his providence,
But count it all the best;
For in each storm of violence
I sink to sweeter rest.
* * * * *
'Twas not a rival filled thine eyes
With colored fancies rare;
But Satan came in deep disguise,
And wrought the dread affair.
* * * * *
We still are joined in Eden's bond
Of matrimony true;
While life endures, yet undissolved
It binds my heart to you.
No court of man nor Satan's power
Can disannul the tie;
Though spirits rent, in evil hour,
"One flesh" are you and I.
No face so fair, no heart so warm,
Upon this verdant sod,
Shall alienate with rival charm
The wife received of God.
So I will walk with God alone,
And bless his holy name,
Till he shall bring the alien home
To dwell in love again.
In vision of the night I saw--
And woke to joyful praise--
True nature reimprint her law
That ruled thy former days.
From nature's pure affections then
Grace led to love divine;
Then heaven's bliss alone can bound
Our mutual joy sublime.
God grant that this may real prove
Through coming years of time,
And in his shining courts above,
An endless crown be thine.
The hand of God alone can take
The broken chords of love
And knit them in a union sweet
As love's pure reign above.
Here I will close my present rhyme;
But ever pray for you,
That God may give you back again
The heart of woman true.
Then touched by sweet seraphic strains,
With all the heavenly throng,
I'll shout aloud my Savior's praise,
And sing another song.