Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-08-25

Ii shall ever win the home in heaven
For whose sweet rest humbly hope and
pray,
In the great company of the forgiven
/ shall be sure to find old Daniel GRAY.
I knew him we'll; in fact, few knew him
better;
For my young eyes oft read for him the
Word,
And saw how meekly from the crystal letter
He drank the life of his beloved Lord.
Old Daniel GRAY was not a man who lifted
On ready words his freight OF gratitude
And was not called upon among the gifted
In the prayer meetings of his neighbor-
hood.
He had a few oll-fashioncd words and
phrases,
Linked in with sacred texts and Sunday
rhymes;
And | suppose. that, in his prayers and
graccs.
I've heard them all at least thousand
times.
see him now-his form, and face, and
motions,
His homespun habit, and his silver hair
And hear the language of his trite devotions
Rising behind the straightforward kitch-
en-chair.
can remember how the sentence sounded
"lieip us, Lord, to pray, and not to
faint-'
And how the "conquering. and to- conquer
rounded
The loltier aspirations Of the saint.
He had some notions that did not improve
him;
He never kissed his children-so they say;
And finest scenes and fairest flowers would
move him
Less than a horseshoe picked up in the
way.
He could see nought but vanity in beauty,
And nought but wea kneSs in a fond caress
And pitied men whose views Of Christian
duty
Allowed indulgence in such foolishness
Yet there were love and tenderness within
him;
And | am told, that, when his Charley
died,
Nor Natures need nor gentle words could
win him
From his fond vigils at the sleeper's side
And when they came to bury little Charley,
They found fresh dew drops sprinkle in
his hair.
And on his breast rosebud, gathered
early
And guessed, hut did not know, who
e
Nv good old friend was very hard on fashion
And held its votaries in lofty scorn,
And often burst into holy passion
While the gay crowds went by on Sunday
morn.
Yet he was vain. old GRAY, and did no,
know IL,
lie wore his hair impaired, long and plain
To hide the handsome brow that slept be.
low it.
For fear the world would think that he
was vain.
lie had hearty hatred of oppression,
| Aud rightcon words for SIN of every kind
Alas, that the transgressor and transgrcs
Were linked so closely in his honcs
mind.
Yet that sweet tale of gift without repent
ance,
Told Of the Master. touched him to th,
| core,
And fearless he could not read the sentence
"Neithcr do | condemn thee: sin nc
| more"
Honest and faithful. constant in his calling
Strictly attendant on the means Of grace
Instant in prayer. and fearful most of fall
Old Daniel Gray was always in his place
A rractical old man. and vet dreamer.
He thought that in some strange, un
looked-fo way.
His mighty Friend In heaven, the grea
Redeemsr,
Would honor him with wealth some colder
day.
This dream he carried in hopeful spirit
| Until In death his patient eve grew dim
/ And his Redeemer called him To inherit
The heaven of wealth long garnered al
for him.
So. if ever win the home in heaven
For whose sweet rest humbly hope an
pray.
In the great company Of the forgiven
A 1 shall he sure IN find a1f Daniel Graz