1860 May 8

              Six years ago, when ever joyous Spring 

scattered rich gifts upon this earth of our's 

Far sweeter than the sweetest of her flowers, 

One flower did God to our own garden bring. 



He planted it a noble plant, and gave 

The charge of it into our loving care, 

To train it tenderly, so it might bear 

Fruit to His praise who for such fruit I did crave. 



Ah! how kept we our trust? Was ours the love, 

Which while it prized the gift loved more the given, 
 
And sought with tears, how is might best deliver 

The entrusted talent back to him above? 



Oh! earthly love, oh! selfish human heart, 

Weak and mistrustful of God's providence 

Troubled for many things of time and sense, 

Yet careless of the one thing needful, the good path! 



Therefore when God our ill kept graden saw, 

And marked how weeds were climbing o’er the flowers
 
So that the refreshing Heavenly showers 

Might hardly reach them; gently did he draw 



One flower from our keeping, it may be
 
Not only to preserve that one from harm,