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At length the pastor mildly spoke; "little flock," he said,
"Wherefore are ye cast down, and why are ye disquieted ?
The body that we sow is not the body that shall be —
So writes the apostle unto whom was shown the mystery —
With such a form as pleaseth Him our God shall clothe His
saints,
He needeth not these poor remains — cease then your vain
complaints !
Already round his radiant throne the Lord's redeemed
stand,
Nor fire nor flood nor death nor hell shall pluck them from
His hand.
Sorrow not o'er these wave-washed bones, but rather let us
pray
For everlasting freedom from the galling bonds of clay !"
They prayed ; then to their common toil with lighter hearts
returned,
But long and deeply for their church, pastor and people
mourned.
