Year: 1871




life, we seem evermore approaching the
green shores of an unknown Land,
where the most beautiful flowers charm
the eye; where the sweetest of bird-songs
greet the ear; where earth and air seem
to vie with each other in the endeavor
to reach perfection.


On the nearer bank there are sunny
flowers fragrant as memories, and there
are shady woods and smiling plains
stretched out before us and voices of
pleasant duties call us thitherward.
There is the lapse of murmuring streams,
where little children play all day long
there is fair fruit hanging on low branch
es, that we may pluck and eat there
are bright sunrises, and g owing goings
down of the sun; there are fresh airs
blowing from gardens of delight, and
gentle airs whispering to us of Heaven.
But from all these we turn aside to gaze
wistfully toward the glories of the Un-
known Land.


For one, there rises fair summit of
eminenee. from whence he believes he
can see the whole world at his feet; men
bowing down before him, and women
and children singing his praises in the
sunshine.


For another, there are restful reaches
of green meadow, stretching away under
the tenderer light of stars; and when
once reached, there shall be no more vex-
ing debate about the baser things of
life, but only eternal peace and quiet
ness.


For one, there is the shining of gold
on the beautiful emerald shore; gold,
which will gain him power and influence
among his fellow-men, and spread com
forts in his path.


For one, there is the gain of friend
ship, the joy of true love, to tighten all
the labors of life. He may still have to
work, but his toll will be pleasure, and
pain will no longer be penance when
soothed by the sympathy of kindred
mind.


You and l are sailing with the silver
tide, but we shall never reach the shore
of that unknown land


In the spring we wait for the summer
time; when the green bud of the spring
is full of life and color, and bursts into
a sweet blossom, we long for the joys of
the harvest field when we are gathering
the golden grain and the ripe fruit, then
we begin to look forward to the winter
of happy fresides; the long and silent
winters, when we rest from our labors.
But how often, oh, how often, death
steps in and breaks our plans How
often our search ends in disappointment,
because we have trimmed our sails, while
the sunshine lasted, for bright, little
voyages to this unknown land, and for
gotten the reality of that shining shore
upon which we hope some day to stand
secure.


We neglect too often the duties of to-
day; we forget the blessings that sur
round us on every hand; we slight real
friends and real Joys for an unreal
( glimpse of tomorrow.


Yes, this is the Unknown Land which
no one of us ever reaches
We look up to the sky, and mourn be-
cause cloud hangs dimly above the hor.
izon; but then we turn away and say
"It will be bright tomorrow r
! But tomorrow never comes. It is al
ways before us, bright picture in the
air; and the sun Of to-day may go down
and another sun arise, yet it will only
be another day after all.


Let US take care of the present-let us
look well to our deeds of to-day, assured
that all the future is in His hands, who
careth for US all.