I Cannot Think of Them as Dead

I cannot think of them as dead,
who walk with me no more;
along the path of life I tread
they are but gone before,
they are but gone before.

And still their silent ministry
within my heart hath place,
as when on earth they walked with me,
and met me face to face,
and met me face to face.

Their lives are made forever mine;
what they to have been
has left henceforth its seal and sign
engraven deep within,
engraven deep within.

Mine are they by an ownership
nor time nor death can free;
for God hath given to love to keep
its own eternally,
its own eternally.