The Trinity times., 1855-02-24

by J. D. q.
farewell, my son the hour has come,
The solemn hour when we must part;
The hour that bears thee from thy home,
With sorrow 6lls thy Fathers heart.
Farewell, my son, thou leav'st behind,
Thy mother, sisters, brothers dear,
And goest the far off land to find,
Without one friend thy way to cheer.
Alone thou leav'st thy vine clad cot,
Thy childhood's home, thy natal bowers,
Sweet scenes, that ne'er can be forgot,
Where life has pass'd its sunniest hours.
When far away from distant lands,
Mid Cafornia's golden streams,
Where brightly shine those yellow sands.
Oft will "Speet Home" come Ger thy dreams.
Thy fathers counsels prayers, and love
Pursue thee through thy dangerous way,
Ard at the mercy seat above,
lmplore his son may never stray
From that straight path where virtue guides,
To purcst, noblest joys on high,
Where Ged in his holiness resides,
And springs perennial never dry.
Remember, His omniscient eye
Beholds each devious step you take
That you can ne'er his presence ny,
At home, abroad, asleep, awake.
On California's sea-beat shore.
Where the Pacific rolls his tide.
Where waves on waves eternal roar,
You cannot from his notice hide.
lie holds you tatre upon his arm,
Encirced with his boundess might,
Preserves you safe from every harm,
Mid brightest day and darkest night.
let this great truth be deep impressed
Upen tho tablets of thy heart
BE cherished there within thy breast,
And from thy memory ne'er depart.
II strong temptations round you rise,
Where sins deccitful smiles betray,
This thought will prompt you 10 despse
The course that leads the downward way.
When fascination spreads her charms,
But to allure, beguile, destroy,
Think, then, q fathers faithful arms,
Are thrown aropnd bis wandering boy,
To keep him from the fatal snare,
Spread TO entrap his youthful feet,
And lead his youthful footsteps where
Pale rain holds its gloomy seat.
What pangs must rond thy fathers soul,
TO And his counses all are crossed
Are set at naught, without control,
And his beloved SON is losi. ~
OH think whst mourning, anguish, grief,
Would bathe thy kindred all in tears;
That one dear youth. in life SO brief,
Should cloud in night then future years.
Should these bfis hopes that gid thy sky
hnd oast their splendors on tie West,
Fade on thy sight grow dim and die,
And hearts sink down with gloom Cypress Il;
Shou'd sickness chain thee to thy bed,
In Cali'ornia's distant land,
No brothers there TO hold thy head,
Nor Slaters take thy trembling hand, -
F'iat thsn, my son, that guardian power,
Whose eye behoIds the sparrow's fall,
Hell watch thee in that lonely hour,
Whose gracious care is DER us all.
Then il beneath the evening star.
Beside the great Paciic's wave,
Thou fnd'st an early tomb sfar,
His grace will there thy spirit save.
Or if Npon thy safe return,
Thou fnd'st 10 more thy father here,
Pay ore sad visit to his urn,
Drop on his dust cne flial tear.
May Coos rich blessings on thy head,
Descend in showers of heavenly grace,
And keep you safe where'er you tread
AS We here END this fond embrace.
SO i've my son, whlo here stand,
On Times bleak, ever-changing shore,
That we may reach that better land
Where sors and fathers part no more.
March, l949.