THE SACRIFICE OF CONTINUAL PRAISE. H) “ Softly within their peaceful resting-place We lay their wearied limbs, and bid tlie clay Press lightly on them till the night be past, And the far East give note of coming day." “Short death and darkness! endless life and light! Short dimming; endless shiningin yon sphere . , Where all is incorruptible and pure;— The joy without the pain; the smile without the tear." They have left us; but our loss is their gain. Still we rejoice, while we thank God for their faithand victory. Thus Christ is gathering home His people; the church militant becomes the church triumphant; while all things are preparing for that glorious hour when “ death shall be swallowed up in victory." “ Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth • yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow them." As a community, however, we have been favored with unusual health—a mercy so constant as to be often forgotten, in our enumeration of our reasons for praise ; yet a blessing so precious, as we soon learn, when for a time deprived of it, as to call for the most fervent gratitude to the great Giver of every good and perfect gift But this is not yet all of personal and individual blessing, that should lead us to atune our hearts to praise. We dwell in quiet habitations, and are in the enjoyment of our usual privileges. It is not so with those parts of our land, where the war
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