New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-28
THE REV. JOHN PIERPONT.

The Rev. John PerpOnt whose death regret TO an
was born April 1885, in Litchdeld Connecticut
His education completed in 1904 at Yale College, and
in 1905 he became Lor in the family OF COL Wm.AlsOn
of North Carolina In 1909 he returned 20 Connecticut
where he studied laS and settled at Newbuypo Mass
He did not succeed as lawyer and his mercantile enter
prses in Baltimore and Boston also unfortunate In
1916 he published "a Airs Of Palestine" one Of hn
first poems, and subsequently studied the Harvard
theological school In 1879 he ordained minister OF
the Holis-st Unitarian Church in Boston In 1856 he
visited Europe and published in 1910 on edition OF his
poems His persistence In speaking in favor of the TEN
perance reform caused trouble with his congregation,
which resulted in years controversy when he re-
signed In 1855 he accepted the charge Of the Unitarian
Church in Troy N. T., where he remained four years
aud then took charge of the first Congregational Church
in Medford Mass where he continued TO reside till the
beginning of the OF late M Pierpclt-?robably
untitled by age for the active duties OF clergy nan, was
obliged to accept cerkship in the Treasury Department
and holding that position died.
John Pierpont was good mar and an earnestreforme
He labored actively behalf of temperance, antiSave
the meloration of prison discipline and other reforms
But as a poet he will be chiefly remembered His most
important poems the inspiration special OCCASIONS
one of the longest read in honor of the centennial
celebration at Litehfed, and Airs Of Palestine,
the work which first gave him reputation written for
recitation at charity concert. The idea OF this poem s
the exhibition Of the power OF music IN conjunction With
local scenery and national character, mainly referring
10 the sacred history. His temperance songs
religious and patriotic poems numerous and probably
the majority have been collected During the WM
he wrote several noble songs inspired with passion and
energy and remarkable for almost an oetogenanan
Mr. Perpont who always strong and healthy, re-
tanned much of his power almost to his death. As az
American poet he cannot be ranked with the Lest; the
highest Imagination denied him. but some u his re-
gous poetry has rarely been excelcd for strength and
simplicity We may quote ne example Of this style
the beautiful Dedication Hymn written for the Ce1eiegi
tona Church In Plymouth, upon the ground occ-2ed o,
tho earliest Congregational Church In America;
The winds aud waves roNrngi
The Pilgrims met tor prayer;
AID here, there God odorlhg
rlcv stood In open air.
w en- breaking day they crested
And when its close was Oahu,
The leahess woods rep'ated
The music Of their PSALM
Not thus o God. to praise the.
DO We their children. throug;
The temples arch We raise thee
Gives back choral sOng.
Yet GA the W DIS. thai OoTc thee
Their worship and their prayers
May come up tefore Thee
From hearts as true as theirs
What have We Lord, TO bind us.
To THIS. tae Pilgrims shore -
TIER hiu Of graves bohind Us.
Ihelr watery way before.
Inc Wlutry sarge. that dasles
AZ .pst the rocks they tod
Tv5r memory. and tler ashes-
BE thou their guard. y Goi'
Wo vonIl not Holy Father.
Forsake this hail,Hed spot
TIL ON tia shore gather
Where gravcA and siie' arc Hoi
The slom WI. re trae Gefoton
Shall p"iiicd "iih'
And 30 CikGg &C. 81"
TusH flrt 80 ihsr tiF'ft