By gavin
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I'm not one for being morbid, but here are some epitaphs from grave stones in St. Michael's churchyard. They remind me of the struggles that so many people have in life - and how precious life is in the here and now. How do they make you feel?
1795Here in my silent Grave I lie Free from all Pain and Grief Tho my disease was long and sharp God sent at last Relief (1803)Long lingering on the borders of the grave From which no Skill on Earth had power to save In racking pain I spent my daily breath And found no refuge till relieved by death And now I sleep no more by (pain) oppress'd And trust my Saviour for eternal rest 1805Confident that ere long you must Depart and soon return to dust Or suddenly as well as I By some sad accident must die And in this world as some can tell How short a time he has to dwell O let it be your chiefest care For death and judgment to prepare 1811Young men I pray be wise betimes For I was cut off in my prime For as the flowers doth fade away So did my Life and Strength decay My Friends as you my Grave doth see Stay but a while you'l follow me 1812All you young youths my grave may see Pray you prepare to follow me Had Youth I was and Youth I am And forc'd to go at God's command 1815Farwell to you my Children dear For (no) you was (to) me My time of life was (agains) in (pain) But death hath set me free 1817The Rose within this earthly Bed Tho wither'd and reclin'd its Head Shall soon in new born Beauty rise And blossom in its native Skies 1825I was so long with pains oppress'd That wore my strength away It made me long for endless rest Which never can decay 1826Peaceful rest ye silent Babes Mingled with the Valley's clod Rest till Nature's cry shall call ye Call ye to approach your God 1835Death ! why so fast ? pray stop your hand And let my glass run out its sand As neither death nor time will stay Let us improve the present day 1853There calmly rests beneath this lowly tomb A gentle flowr pluck't in her early bloom Too fondly loved too hardly parted from Rent from her life her friends her happy home Yet a celestial hope springs from the earth And dear Ellen claims a second birth Where the kind shepherd bids all sorrows cease And calls his lambs to endless joy and peace 1855Whilst in this world I did remain My latter Days were full of Pain But when the Lord he thought it best He took me to a Place of Rest 1856What joy ! when he resigned his breath - For as his eyelids closed - he smiled in death 1863So kind so young so gentle so sincere So loved so early lost may claim a tear Yet wherefore mourn ? the life resumed by heaven Doubtless fulfilled the end for which 'twas given 1875Her labours below have ceased Her trials and pains are o'er Her sun hath set at noon of day To rise on the heavenly shore
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