Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-03-09
@tarEIIaneoua.
THE ODD FELLow's PuSERAL.

|
Thou hast watched beside the bed Of death,
Oh fearIes. human love!
/ Thy lips received the last faint breath,
Ere the spirit Ned above
Thy prayer was heard by the parting bier,
| In low and farewell lone;
Thou hast given the graye-Aower and tear
oh loved thy task 10 done.>r ttiKxASs.
Twas calm and holy evening in mid
summer. The light OF the world was ora
dually sinking down the western sky fling
ing its farewell rays 10 golden beauty, on
steeple, tower, and batllement Of the city
Of Monuments. | had wandered out be
yond the precincts of.he noisy MARYLAND
reclining myself on beautiful mossy bank
was engaged in dear communion with nv
own thoughts. love, 81 the still hour Of
sunset. TO steal away from The busting
scenes Of life and business, that may in
some lone spot, indulge 10 mournfui yet
pleasing reverie-csll back again some half
forgotten remembrance Of the pastor let
The aspirationsaof my heart 90 up, on the
invinsibls wings Of the wind, 10 gratitude
to the Author 81 all my mercies; some
such employment occupied my mind on
the evening slludedto. 10 The midst OF
my meditations. however. was aroused
BY the deep yet stifled roll OF the muffied
drum. and the mournful minslrelsy Of wind
Instruments, unitedin a soft and solemn
funeral irge-ringing out slowly, and
with measured cadence on The calm air OF
that serene eyening-and upon looking 10
the direction from whence thesstrains pro.
ceeded. I saw FUNERAL TRAIN, vending
their way up the valley and ascending
the hill.
No long stray OF carriages headed that
funeral procession-no evidence Of wealth
or Pomp, or family pride. were manifest
hesrse. 10 which were contained The re-.
mains Of one about 10 be committed 10 the
cold resting place Of the dead, and single
carriage. for the minister and family ofihe
deceased, led on the sorrowing lbrong that
followed in the rear. But though there
were but few evidences Of pomp or dis.
play. yet that slowly moving company
were moi without manifest indications Of
deep sorrow--for the sad advert looksp ihe
grave aud smilelsss face. OF each that fol.
lowed on. signalIy svinced the most fer
vent grief that sat enthroned in every
breastl i
They come, a sad RECALLED ihrong,
Moving with tsrdy step along;
With mourning badge, and Grape bound sash,
Rejecting in the su0set's flash,
Still on they como with solemn pace,
And grief sits throned on every face; s5s III
For now, they bear with measured tread
A brother 10 the silent dead
One who, in yonder my site hall,
|, Had promptly leap'd 10 duty,s call,
/ Whose spiritfrom their "Ordern riYen.
Had joined the Eternal One in Heaven;
They now with feelings warm and true.
Have come 70 sign : last Adieu
As the mourning train moved oD
arose insiinciively, and followed in the
rear for all my sympathies had awakened.
The gate Of the burial place was soon
gained--snd the friends OF the deceased,
led by the minister Of God. moved tor
ward with reluctant step. and gathered a.
round the grave prepared for The reception
Q: the remains of their lost relative and
friend. Thesound Of the drum was hushed,
the funeral service was COMMENSURATE
ere its conclusion. many cheek wss
mois,ened with tear Of sympathy and re-
greet. The eguish Of The stricken widow
and her bereayed children was intense
ard hesri -rending--for tie deceased was
husband and father.
The coneoorse around the grave tsrried
until The earth was heaped up over ibe
cofin--and then they turned sadly away,
and left The spot. The shades Of evening
were gathered Ger the world-and, upon
looking up. perceived that The 6rst star
Of The dewey twilight hour had stolen Sc
Ienily out from its ETHEREAL abode. and was
looking down upon the new made grave
Iof tie laIe schooner Of earth. whose re-
mains we're no slombering IN the marrow
house appointed for sll the living. but
whose spirit had escaped away 10 bliss
lul region. Of whose boundaries that brigh
star was ihs landmark. ard Of the eloriel
Of which Il was but fsiEt scinlillation.
| voluntarily Joined with the friends Of Ia,
buried. and LEI. the place Of The sepnltuf
and 10 conversation with one q To