On the Death of 2 Children - a poem by Elder Gilbert Beebe

 

We had never known of the sorrow, or the expression of it, that Elder Beebe had in 1833. This poem was published in the December 25, 1833, Signs of the Times.  One can feel the natural grief of the parent as well as the heavenly submission of the Saint to the will of Almighty God. Beebe makes no speculation on the eternal state of his offspring, but leaves it in the hand of him who "is too wise to err, too good to be unkind." Would that we all, in the midst of providences hurtful to the flesh and natural feelings, might be blessed with the same spirit as He had facing the loss of 2 children.  [RNL]

The following lines were written on the death of two children, the one expired without a struggle or groan, --  the other languished in severe distress for eleven weeks.. Both children of G. and P. A. Beebe.


1. Call'd as we are to bear thy rod,
  Thou ever faithful cov'nant God;
  Thy grace impart, that we may feel
  Submissive, at thy sovereign will.

2. It is thy right, thou Lord of Heaven,
  To take from us what thou hast given, –
  Remand our offspring to the dust,
  And teach our hearts in thee to trust.

3. Twice in the circuit of this year,
  Thy chast'nings we've been call'd to bear –
  Yet all is right; we bless thy name,
  Nor of thy Providence complain.

4. When James's gentle spirit fled
  To join the nations of the dead,
  Our heaving bosoms felt the smart,
  That we so suddenly must part.

5 But when our Robert George was brought
  Down to the couch of death, we thought
  'Twas harder still, (such ling'ring pains,)
  Than it had been with little James.

6 But why fond nature dost thou pore –
  Their suf''rings, languishing are o'er.
  And soon of us, it shall be said
  They're mingl'd with the slumb'ring dead.

7 Hush Lord the murm'rings of our mind,
  May we through mercy be resign'd,
  To all thy will, to all thy ways,
  And in affliction give thee praise.

8 Since our dear Lord has mixd'd the cup
  Be dumb, our souls and drink it up;
  Jehovah has our good in view,
  He'll give us grace and bear us through.