The Evening Of Life.

As the shadows of evening around me are falling,     With its dark sombre curtain outspread,     And night's just at hand, chilly night so appalling,     And day's brilliant sunshine hath fled,     It is e'en so with me, for the eve of my day     Has arrived, yet I scarcely know how;     Bright morn hath departed, and noon passed away,     And 'tis evening, pale eve with me now.     Oh! where are the friends who in life's early morn,     With me did their journey commence;     Some are estranged, while some few still remain,     And others departed long since.     And when I too, like them, shall be summoned away,     And the shadows of death on me fall,     Be thou the Great Shepherd of Israel but near,     My Saviour, my God, and my all.     And though the "dark valley" we all must pass through,     Yet surely no evil can harm     The sheep, when the Shepherd is walking there too,     And supports them by his mighty arm.     Oh! my Redeemer, wilt thou be with me then,     And food for my journey provide,     Divide the dark waters of Jordan again,     And safe in thy bosom me hide.     Though wild beasts of the desert may roar long and loud,     And the billows of ocean rise high,     With thy rod and thy staff for my strength and support,     I shall pass them in safety all by.     And having crossed Jordan, on Canaan's bright shore     With what joy shall I take a survey,     And reflect that the dangers of life are all o'er,     And with unclouded vision enjoy evermore     The bright sun of an endless day.     Weston, Feb. 4, 1852.