Cotton Mather (1663–1728)

The motto, inscribed on the grave stone, “Gone, but not lost.”

THE DEAREST Lord of heaven gave

Himself an offering once for me:

The dearest thing on earth I have,

Now, Lord, I ’ll offer unto Thee.

I see my best enjoyments here,

Are loans, and flowers, and vanities;

Ere well enjoy’d they disappear:

Vain smoke, they prick and leave our eyes.

But I believe, O glorious Lord,

That when I seem to lose these toys,

What ’s lost will fully be restor’d

In glory, with eternal joys.

I do believe, that I and mine,

Shall come to everlasting rest;

Because, blest Jesus, we are Thine,

And with thy promises are blest.

I do believe that every bird

Of mine, which to the ground shall fall,

Does fall at thy kind will and word;

Nor I, nor it, is hurt at all.

Now my believing soul does hear

This among the glad angels told;

I know, thou dost thy Maker fear,

From whom thou nothing dost withhold!